The 32-year-old attacker was initially ruled out of the biennial competition, but he is now set to play for the three-time African champions
Odion Ighalo could now be available to aid the Super Eagles cause at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after the striker posted a cryptic message on his Instagram.
Ighalo was initially ruled out of the competition after his Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab blocked him from travelling.
The 32-year-old was included in Austin Eguavoen's 28-man squad, but Al-Shabab confirmed on Thursday that he would not be joining the squad as the invitation from the NFF arrived late.
The decision left Eguavoen with just 27 players after CAF denied his request to call in a replacement. However, in a quick turn of events, Ighalo may now be available for selection.
Although neither party has confirmed his availability, Ighalo posted a picture of himself in a private jet on his Instagram, leading to suggestions that he has finally gotten approval from his club to travel.
View this post on Instagram
The map displayed in the picture also suggests Ighalo is on his way to Africa. Should that be the case, Ighalo will link up with the rest of his teammates in Cameroon as the 25-players in camp left Abuja for Cameroon on Wednesday ahead of the Group D opener against Egypt.
Meanwhile, the team is still waiting on the arrival of Tyronne Ebuehi and Jamilu Collins.
It’s a welcome development,if the news is anything to go by. Ighalo will add more bite to SE attack in the absence of Osimhen. It’s obviously seen that Ighalo fought his own course to be released by his team not NFF
Hello jnbn good
I prayed for a successful competition in Cameroon .I remained a Nigerian ,thus I wish that Super Eagles display a very good team spirit and understanding.They should play for one another which means everybody should cover for one another where there is loopholes,avoid blame games and they should strives to do the needful.My advice to NFF is next time they should try and apply for a player in time to avoid a situation where a club will refuse to release a player for a competition.Go for the gold super Eagles .
Thank God if Ighalo can make it. I had ruled out Nigeria’s possibility to survive first round. Even at this, I am struggling to be positive
If Odion Ighalo makes it to Cameroon for the AFCON, it is an indication that indeed we have an awesome God who is continuously doing awesome things. With the absence of Osimhen Victor , we certainly need Odion in the attack for the Super Eagles. Odion isn’t finished with Nigeria just yet. If Messi and Ronaldo are still playing, Ighalo didn’t need to retire from the national team that early. As long as he’s still fit, he should continue to do what makes him happy, playing and scoring great goals.
The players and the coaching crew of the Super Eagles should be rest assured that millions of Nigerians are praying for them to succeed at the AFCON.
I wish the Super Eagles good success in Cameroon.
We don’t need Ighalo in the team!
We need expirence streaker in that team, so lghalo is needed that team.
Thank God igalo finally make it.i now have confidence that Nigeria will past through this stage and get to the finals to will the throphy.
That’s not enough evidence to show his coming to Cameroon