Ighalo says he may reconsider retiring from international football and return to Super Eagles fold

SUPER Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has indicated that he may rescind his recent decision to retire from international football following the hue and cry from fans over his quit the national team.

After the recent African Cup of Nations in Egypt where Ighalo won the golden boot for being the top scorer, he announced that he was retiring from international football. However, his decision to retire has attracted pleas from fans, coaching staff and Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials, who want him to remain with the Eagles for little while longer.

Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr said he would keep the door open in case Ighalo decided to change his mind, while NFF president Amaju Pinnick revealed that he has spoken to the player to reverse his decision. However, Ighalo said he has not taken a decision yet, adding he will need to consult his family before deciding.

Ighalo said: “If I am going to reverse my retirement, I would need to consult with my family and my club. I respect the president of the NFF but the reversal of my retirement is certainly not one that I can take alone as I need to consult with others before I take a decision.”

If the striker decides to reverse his decision, Ighalo’s comeback will be a huge boost for Rohr and the Super Eagles who begin their qualifiers for 2021 Nations Cup in November. It will also help as the team starts preparations for the 2022 World Cup as Ighalo's apparent replacement Victor Osimhen, is just finding his feet.

Osimhen, 20, who has just signed a five year deal with French club Lille, where he said he hopes to follow in the footsteps of Vincent Enyeama and Peter Odemwingie, who both featured for the club. He was signed by Lille as a replacement for Ivorian Nicolas Pepe, who has agreed on personal terms with Arsenal.

"Lille is a very good club that leads a quality project and includes high-class players, even more in recent years Great Nigerian players have also played here and I would like to join their lineage and follow their footsteps.

"I am very happy to be here and to join this great club that is the Losc. I am still young, I am learning and I think that this project suits me perfectly to continue to progress,” Osimhen added.