• Contact Us
Thursday, June 1, 2023
  • Login
  • Home
  • News
  • Local
    • PSL
    • MTN8
    • Telkom Knockout
    • Nedbank Cup
    • Carling Black Label Cup
    • Glad Africa Championship
    • SAFA Leagues
  • Africa
    • CAF Champions League
    • CAF Confederation Cup
    • Africa Cup of Nations
    • COSAFA Cup
  • International
    • EPL
    • La Liga
    • Serie A
    • Bundesliga
    • Ligue 1
    • UEFA
    • World Cup
  • Match Centre
    • Live Score
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Fantasy League
  • Fan Club
    • Log In
    • Register
    • Activity
    • Profile
    • Notifications
    • Messages
    • Groups
    • Settings
    • Log Out
No Result
View All Result
Diski101.com
  • Home
  • News
  • Local
    • PSL
    • MTN8
    • Telkom Knockout
    • Nedbank Cup
    • Carling Black Label Cup
    • Glad Africa Championship
    • SAFA Leagues
  • Africa
    • CAF Champions League
    • CAF Confederation Cup
    • Africa Cup of Nations
    • COSAFA Cup
  • International
    • EPL
    • La Liga
    • Serie A
    • Bundesliga
    • Ligue 1
    • UEFA
    • World Cup
  • Match Centre
    • Live Score
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Fantasy League
  • Fan Club
    • Log In
    • Register
    • Activity
    • Profile
    • Notifications
    • Messages
    • Groups
    • Settings
    • Log Out
No Result
View All Result
Diski101.com
No Result
View All Result
Home Africa

Ighalo not rushing talks on Nigeria return

Diski101 Reporter by Diski101 Reporter
October 30, 2021, 4:54 pm
in Africa
2 min read
0 0
0
Ighalo not rushing talks on Nigeria return

Nigeria's striker Odion Ighalo chases the ball during the International friendly football match between England and Nigeria at Wembley stadium in London on June 2, 2018. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP)

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Former Manchester United and Watford striker Odion Ighalo says he is not rushing to come out of international retirement, but confirmed talks are ‘ongoing’ about a Nigeria return.

The 32-year-old quit the Super Eagles after finishing top scorer at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and previously resisted pressure from coach Gernot Rohr to reverse his decision.

Both Rohr and Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick have publicly called for Ighalo to play in the country’s upcoming 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

“Talks have been going on for a while now, and I respect the coach and the NFF president,” Ighalo, now playing for Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia, told BBC Sport Africa.

“But it’s still an ongoing talk and it’s not something I have to rush.”

Victor Osimhen has filled the void left by Ighalo’s absence as the Napoli striker emerged as joint-top scorer with five goals in qualifying for the 2021 Nations Cup.

ADVERTISEMENT

But Ighalo’s impressive recent club form has prompted Rohr to consider him again, while Pinnick reiterated the need for his experience to “combine with our energetic youthful Osimhen, [Paul] Onuachu, Kelechi (Iheanacho) et al”.

Death threats despite scoring goals

The decision to bring back Ighalo, who has eight goals in nine matches for Al Shabab this season, has led to a public backlash from fans on local radio and social media.

“Osimhen is still is our number one striker,” Rohr said. “But if Ighalo will come back, his maturity and experience will help Osimhen, the others and our team.”

Ighalo captained Nigeria at the Under-20 World Cup in 2009, but then had a six-year wait for his senior debut, which came in a friendly at home against Uganda in Uyo.

The player endured death threats aimed at his family after failing to score at the 2018 World Cup as the side failed to progress from their group.

But he produced seven goals to finish top scorer in the 2019 Nations Cup qualifying, before his five goals and one assist helped Nigeria finish third at the tournament in Egypt.

Ighalo’s 16 international goals rank him among the country’s top six scorers.

Nigeria face Liberia and Cape Verde next month in their final two Group C matches in World Cup qualifying, with just the group winners progressing to the play-off round.

Oluwashina Okeleji / Football Writer, Nigeria

Diski101 Reporter

Diski101 Reporter

Next Post
Vinicius double sends Real Madrid top of La Liga

Vinicius double sends Real Madrid top of La Liga

Xavi ‘focused’ on Al Sadd amid Barca link

Xavi 'focused' on Al Sadd amid Barca link

Cornet strike helps Burnley claim first win

Cornet strike helps Burnley claim first win

Discussion about this post

ADVERTISEMENT

CAF Champions League

About Us

Diski101 is Africa’s growing soccer news based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

About Us

  • Match Centre
  • Contact Us
  • Terms & Conditions

Leagues

  • PSL
  • EPL
  • La Liga
  • Serie A
  • Ligue 1
  • Bundesliga
  • UEFA Champions League
  • CAF Champions League
  • RPL
  • UEFA
  • KPL
  • COSAFA Cup
  • Eredivisie
  • Primeira Liga

Recent News

Bounou the hero as Sevilla beat Roma on penalties to win Europa League

Bounou the hero as Sevilla beat Roma on penalties to win Europa League

June 1, 2023
Brentford snap up Freiburg goalkeeper Flekken

Brentford snap up Freiburg goalkeeper Flekken

June 1, 2023
Ashley Young leaves Aston Villa

Ashley Young leaves Aston Villa

May 31, 2023
African teams face tricky opponents in FIFA U20 World Cup round of 16

African teams face tricky opponents in FIFA U20 World Cup round of 16

May 31, 2023

Copyright © 2021 Diski 101 - All Rights Reserved Ada Media. Terms & Conditions.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Local
    • PSL
    • MTN8
    • Telkom Knockout
    • Nedbank Cup
    • Carling Black Label Cup
    • Glad Africa Championship
    • SAFA Leagues
  • Africa
    • CAF Champions League
    • CAF Confederation Cup
    • Africa Cup of Nations
    • COSAFA Cup
  • International
    • EPL
    • La Liga
    • Serie A
    • Bundesliga
    • Ligue 1
    • UEFA
    • World Cup
  • Match Centre
    • Live Score
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Fantasy League
  • Fan Club
    • Log In
    • Register
    • Activity
    • Profile
    • Notifications
    • Messages
    • Groups
    • Settings
    • Log Out

Copyright © 2021 Diski 101 - All Rights Reserved Ada Media. Terms & Conditions.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

*By registering into our website, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In