Heartbreak As Top NFF Official Reveals Why Al-Shabab Star Odion Ighalo Won’t Be Part of AFCON 2022

• Odion Ighalo is the latest Super Eagles superstar that will not be part of the squad to the Africa Cup of Nations
• NFF director of communications Ademola Olajire disclosed in an interview that Saudi club Al-Shabab says the player won’t be released
• Olajire also confirmed that Nigeria will not drag the club to the world’s football governing body, FIFA, over the decision

The director of communications of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ademola Olajire, has confirmed that striker Odion Ighalo will not be part of the Super Eagles squad to AFCON 2021, Complete Sports reports.

In an interview with sports radio station Brila fm, Olajire disclosed that the player’s Al-Shabab club of Saudi Arabia says he won’t be released.

This is a setback for interim coach Augustine Eguavoen who will be looking to leading the team to winning their fourth continental title.

Ighalo will be sorely missed

Ighalo was billed to be a formidable replacement for striker Victor Osimhen who was excused from the team after the Napoli of Italy youngster tested positive for Covid-19.

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It was gathered that the former Man Utd forward was expected to join the team hours before their departure to Cameroon, but now there is a new twist.

Olajire said via Today:

“Al Shabab has confirmed that they won’t be releasing Ighalo for the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

“However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will not go to that level of reporting Ighalo’s club to FIFA because you won’t be helping the player.

“This was the same player that was invited for the 2022 World Cup qualifier against Liberia in Morocco and he was released.”

Chukwueze receives mother’s blessings as he departs for AFCON

Mother of Super Eagles star Samuel Chukwueze has won the hearts of many Nigerian football lovers after being spotted holding the legs of her son and prayed for him.

It was an adorable moment when Samuel Chukwueze reached out to his mother to inform her he is heading to join his Super Eagles teammates for the AFCON.

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And as a caring mother, the precious woman went on her knees in front of her son and started praying for the Villarreal winger who is among the top Super Eagles players for the Nations Cup.

Samuel's mother was happy that her son will be representing Nigeria at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Buhari charges Eagles to do Nigeria proud

Sports Brief earlier reported that President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Super Eagles of Nigeria to defend the green and white flag and do the country proud at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles will depart the country for Cameroon aboard a chartered flight on Wednesday night, January 5, ahead of their opening game against Egypt on January 11.

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, who was represented by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, conveyed the president’s message at a ceremony for the team on Tuesday in Abuja ahead of their departure to Cameroon.