Saudi clubside Al Shabab indicate that they will not release Ighalo for Nations Cup

FORMER Watford and Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo is not likely to feature for Nigeria in the forthcoming African Cup of Nations after his Saudi Arabian clubside Al Shabab indicated that it will not be releasing the player for the tournament.

Ighalo 32, who retired from international football after the 2019 African Cup of Nations, is currently playing for Al Shabab after spending a year in England with Manchester United. Last year, former head coach Gernot Rohr, controversially brought him out of retirement and then included him in his list of invitees to the African Nations Cup.

On January 9, the tournament is due to kick off in Cameroon, with Nigeria getting her campaign going on the 11th against Egypt. However, the Eagles may now be without Ighalo as Al Shabab have indicated they will be unwilling to release their top scorer who has so far scored 10 goals from 14 games this season and has helped the club to second place in the league with a genuine chance of winning the title.

Losing Ighalo reduces Nigeria's striking options further after Victor Osimhen and Emmanuel Dennis both pulled out the tournament. Striking options are now limited to Peter Olayinka of Slavia Prague, Taiwo Awoniyi of Union Berlin, Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City, Samuel Chukwueze of Villarreal and Henry Onyekuru of Olympiacos.

Nigerian Football Federation spokesman Babafemi Raji, confirmed yesterday that there are currently 13 Super Eagles in camp. They had their first training at 5pm at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja yesterday with interim head coach, Austin Eguavoen in charge of proceedings.

Other invited players are expected to troop into camp today to meet the January 3 deadline set for those playing in England and Spain. Yesterday five players arrived with Peter Olayinka, Francis Uzoho, Henry Onyekuru,  Maduka Okoye and Zaidu Sanusi, all hitting the Bolton White Apartment camp.

Alanyaspor of Turkey defender Chidozie Awaziem, said: “It has been a wonderful atmosphere in camp. Everyone is preparing with the few players in camp and training sessions have been good.

“Everyone is giving their best, the coach is doing a good job and we are hoping to get more players in camp  so that we can begin preparations properly. It’s the new year and everyone is positive, we believe we can achieve something great this year."

Super Eagles players currently in camp: Maduka Okoye, (Sparta Rotterdam), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto), Moses Simon (Nantes, France), Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus), Henry Onyekuru (Olympiacos, Greece), Peter Olayinka (Slavia Praha, Czech Republic), Chidozie Awaziem (Alayanspor, Turkey), Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain), Olisa Ndah Orlando Pirates, South Africa), John Noble (Enyimba FC), Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany).