Super Eagles star striker, Odion
Ighalo has announced his retirement from the national team after winning the
golden boot award at the just concluded 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Ighalo made the announcement via
his Instagram page on Saturday morning.
His retirement from the national
team stemmed from the serious abuse he suffered after Nigeria’s early exit from
the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The 30-year old was blamed for
the 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the Eagles last group D game in St. Petersburg.
A similar occurrence happened in
the three-time African champions last group B AFCON game against Madagascar
where he was faulted for not finding the back of the net in the Eagles 2-0 lost
to the debutant at the African football showpiece in Alexandria.
“This is one of the most
difficult career decisions I have had to take. It’s been an amazing 5 years
journey, but after due consultation and extensive discussion with my family I
have decided it’s time for me to retire from the National team,” Ighalo posted
on his IG wall.
“It’s has been an eventful and
most memorable opportunity to serve my country with pride, passion and to
contribute my quota to the development of our football, the memories would stay
with me for a long time and I’m immensely grateful.
“It is now time to concentrate in
club football and give the younger players chance to learn and grow. I would
love to thank NFF, coach Gernot Rohr for believing in me against all odds, to
my team mates for their professionalism and team spirit without you guys I
wouldn’t have achieved so much with this team. To NIGERIA football fans all
over the world, I SAY THANK YOU, you were always there to cheer us on and our
13th players everytime we step into the pitch. I will be watching and cheering
the SUPER EAGLES from this side. THANK YOU……signing OUT ✍🏽🦅🇳🇬🙏🏽”
The Shanghai Shenhua striker also
revealed that he had suffered same hamstring injury that occurred few weeks to
the commencement of the 2019 AFCON.
Odion Ighalo made his
international debut for the Super Eagles in the 1-0 lost to Uganda in a
friendly in Uyo under coach Daniel Amokachi.
Ighalo scored seven goals in the
2019 AFCON qualification campaign, the most by any player, to help Nigeria
qualify for the finals in Egypt.
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