Odion Ighalo Slams Those Criticizing His Return to Super Eagles, Sends Them Stunning Message

Odion Ighalo Slams Those Criticizing His Return to Super Eagles, Sends Them Stunning Message

Nomso Obiajuru
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:57 PM
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  • Odion Ighalo is letting those who have criticized his return to the Super Eagles know it is their problem
  • The former Manchester United striker came out of international retirement last year but failed to feature at AFCON 2021 due to club issues
  • Ighalo recently took his tally to five goals in six appearances for Al Hilal despite only joining the Saudi Arabia club five weeks ago

Al Hilal striker Odion Ighalo has slammed critics questioning his return to the Super Eagles after he came out of international retirement.

Odion Ighalo Slams Those Criticizing His Return to Super Eagles
Odion Ighalo Slams Those Criticizing His Return to Super Eagles. Photo, PAUL ELLIS/AFP
Source: Getty Images

Ighalo returned to the Super Eagles squad in 2021after retiring at the end of AFCON 2019

Recall that Ighalo came out of retirement in November 2021 as he featured in Nigeria 1-1 draw against Cape Verde in a World Cup qualifier.

This came nearly two years after he announced his retirement from the national team at the conclusion of AFCON 2019.

Despite missing out in the 2021 edition of the AFCON due to club issues, Ighalo is back in the Super Eagles squad to face Ghana.

Reacting to the criticisms he has received following his return, Ighalo told ESPN as cited on Daily Post that he remains undisturbed by the rants of some Eagles fans.

He said: “I don’t pay attention to that. Everything they’re saying is their own cup of tea. At my age, I just signed for a new team. This is my 11th team in my professional career.
“I have been called up, I will take my bag and I will go to represent my country and give my best on 100 pere cent.
“As long as I come out from every game and I’m satisfied with my performance — whether it is a win, loss, or draw — then that’s it. I’m a professional footballer.
“This is what I’ve been doing for 17-18 years so why would I be worried about what people say?”

Ighalo in good form for Al Hilal

Ighalo took his tally to five in six appearances for Al Hilal as he scored in their 4-0 win against Al Nassr in the Saudi Professional League on Thursday night, March 3.

The Al Hilal striker has been in blistering form in recent times as this was his club's fourth win in a row since losing their third-place match at the FIFA Club World Cup to Al Ahly.

Onazi says he is still important in Super Eagles team after making the standby list for Ghana

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that experienced Nigerian midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has claimed he was not surprised to see his name on Nigeria's standby list for the World Cup qualifier against Ghana two years since his last game for Super Eagles.

The 29-year-old joined Saudi Arabia's second division team Al-Adalah on January 19, 2022, but is yet to play for them.

Despite his lack of game time, Onazi surprisingly made the Super Eagles standby list for WCQ games against Ghana.

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Nomso Obiajuru
Team Lead- Football
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