Albania
Australia
Bahrain
Belgium
Brazil
Costa Rica
Cyprus
Egypt
England
Finland
France
Friendly Games
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Guatemala
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Iraq
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Kenya
Kuwait
Malaysia
Malta
Mexico
Morocco
Netherlands
Nigeria
Northern Ireland
Oman
Portugal
Qatar
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Scotland
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
UAE
Vietnam
Wales

Ighalo plays cards close to his chest on possible Super Eagles return twitter facebook reddit twitter facebook reddit

goal.com, 29 October 2021, 11:00
The Al-Shabab striker announced his retirement from the national team in 2019 but coach Gernot Rohr wants him back

Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo is contemplating making a return to the national team ahead of the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon in 2022 and next month's World Cup qualifiers.

The former Manchester United forward announced his exit from international football after the 2019 Afcon in Egypt, where he won the Golden Boot.

He has been plying his trade at Al-Shabab and in the 2020/21 season, he managed to score nine goals and provide three assists in the 13 league matches.

In the ongoing campaign, he has already managed to claim nine goals in the 10 games he has played, with the latest strike coming on Thursday against Al Tai in a 3-0 win.

The 32-year-old has revealed the Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr and NFF President Amaju Pinnick have contacted him regarding a possible return but he has not made up his mind.

"They have been in contact with me about the possibility of coming back, Amaju and coach," Ighalo told ESPN.

"I don't know. I have not said yes or no. I haven't made any decision concerning the national team."

In his recent interview, Rohr explained why he was keen on having the experienced player back.

"We miss his leadership, we miss his experience and we miss his goals," the tactician told Completesports.

"He was the top scorer at the 2019 Afcon qualifiers and also the Afcon itself. That's why I included him on our provisional squad.

"[Victor] Osimhen is our No 1 striker, but there is none like Ighalo, he's different, he's a special player, he smells football. We have many young players who could learn a lot playing alongside such a great player.

"He also has the ambition to help his country. He could also help us much more."

Ighalo made 35 appearances for the West Africa nation from 2015 to 2019, scoring 16 goals in the process.

In the 2021 Afcon, Nigeria are in Group D with Egypt, Sudan and Guinea Bissau, while they are atop their World Cup qualifying group with two matches left.

Read full version: https://www.goal.com/en/news/ighalo-plays-cards-close-to-his-chest-on-possible-super/118ge3ceyr99x11p3cfx3bs751
  • FC Le Mont
  • GO Ahead Eagles
  • Golden Foot
  • Manchester United

Top News

9 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed the reason for Jarell Quansah's early substitution in the Reds' 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final. 8 January 2025 talksport.com Antonin Kinsky was visibly emotional following his dream Tottenham debut. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In the first Bundesliga game since the end of the league's winter break, Borussia Dortmund will welcome champions Bayer Leverkusen to Signal Iduna Park on Friday. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool will be bidding to book their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup when they welcome Accrington Stanley to Anfield on Saturday afternoon. 8 January 2025 talksport.com Liverpool wanted a yellow card, but the one they got wasn't what they were looking for. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Lucas Bergvall scored the winning goal moments after avoiding a possible red card as Tottenham Hotspur edged out Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has lost yet another defender to injury, as Jarell Quansah was taken off in the first half of their EFL Cup semi-final first leg with Tottenham Hotspur. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have suffered a worrying injury blow in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final with Liverpool, as Rodrigo Bentancur was stretchered off in the first half with a head injury. 8 January 2025 talksport.com Rodrigo Bentancur has been taken to hospital after being stretchered off during Tottenham's Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest have reportedly identified Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz as a potential January signing. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid and Mallorca will look to progress to the Spanish Super Cup final when they go head-to-head in Thursday's last-four clash in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bournemouth have recalled Daniel Jebbison from his loan spell with Watford after the Cherries confirmed that Enes Unal had sustained a serious knee injury. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has reportedly been offered a staggering £650,000-a-week contract by Al-Nassr, with the Brazilian ready to leave Old Trafford before the end of the January transfer window. 8 January 2025 talksport.com Follow all the action as Tottenham host reigning Carabao Cup champions Liverpool in the first leg of their semi-final tie. 8 January 2025 talksport.com Tottenham beat reigning champions Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-final tie on Wednesday night. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Lamine Yamal has confirmed that he will soon sign a new contract at Barcelona, calling the Catalan outfit 'the club of his life'. 8 January 2025 talksport.com Simon Jordan has slammed Plymouth's decision to appoint Wayne Rooney after he was sacked last week. 8 January 2025 talksport.com Arsenal have placed former midfielder Tomas Rosicky on their shortlist to appoint a new sporting director, talkSPORT understands. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly battling Juventus for the signature of Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo, with the Gunners believed to be keen to secure his services during the January transfer window. 8 January 2025 talksport.com The English Football League have moved to assure there are no issues with the Carabao Cup ball after comments made by Mikel Arteta. 8 January 2025 talksport.com When money is no object - what do you buy yourself? 8 January 2025 talksport.com Ashley Young and son Tyler have gone head-to-head before their potential FA Cup third round meeting with family bragging rights on offer. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Atletico Madrid are reportedly keeping a close eye on Alejandro Garnacho's situation at Manchester United. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United attacker Amad Diallo will reportedly officially sign a new deal at Old Trafford "this week". 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Both beginning their latest FA Cup quest in this season's third round, Premier League sides Aston Villa and West Ham United will fight for victory at Villa Park on Friday evening. 8 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford may reportedly receive a loan offer from a Premier League giant. 8 January 2025 talksport.com Manchester City have made contact with Lens over a move for defender Abdukodir Khusanov, talkSPORT understands. 8 January 2025 talksport.com Cardiff manager Omer Riza has confirmed the club is trying to swiftly sign forward Ricky-Jade Jones.