The aftermath of the AFCON has seen the exit of two of Nigeria’s most experienced players under Gernot Rohr in John Obi Mikel and Odion Ighalo. The former is understandably retiring out of the measure he has given
to Nigeria since his debut against Libya in 2005 after that amazing outing they had in the World Youth Championship in Holland.
He may be justified for his decision to retire from the Super Eagles though not completely even as he’s put in a decent shift for Nigeria on the green and white shirt. But for Odion Ighalo who is just 31 years of age, certain things have not been brought to the book even as we expect the player to rescind his decision in about time.
The player may well be on his way back to the Super Eagles as proposed by some reports coming out from the media as at then but nothing is certain as at the moment. But the big task is convincing Ighalo to return to the Super Eagles fold? Maybe Gernot Rohr can help Nigerian on this stance since he claims that he has a cordial relationship with the player Odion Ighalo.
The big question is should Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo rescind his international decision and continue to feature for Nigeria in subsequent games even after the draws for the AFCON qualifiers for 2021 in Cameroon has been made by Confederation of African Football CAF in Egypt with the Super Eagles winning two games in two matches in the AFCON qualifiers.
Does Nigeria really need Ighalo’s services in the National team going forward into the future? This may be a tough question even though the impatient ones may rush at this to give answers out of their emotions and personal sentiments. However, I can help Nigerian to answer this given them a cogent reason to back my ultimate submission all to the benefit of Nigerians at large. Firstly, it’s important to note that no one is bigger than Nigeria and this includes Jay-Jay Okocha but likewise, you will agree with me that a great Nation does spring from the thin air.
It’s still those interesting personalities that contribute to the greatness of a Nation giving it the necessary euphoria it requires or rather what they may claim to have achieved. In Ighalo’s case, Nigeria still needs him but I have to make it clear that Odion needs Nigeria more. That is the major reason why he must rescind the retirement decision
so that he can be welcomed back to the Super Eagles fold. He needs to make a quick return to the team before it becomes more difficult to do so as Nigeria’s attacking department of the Super Eagles is brimming with flair and dexterity. If Ighalo goes, Nigeria will still remain and flourish for sure. But at 31 years of age Ighalo brings the experience and an awareness of what the National team is all about coupled with the quality to back it up.
He stands the chance to chart a new course for the plethora of Nigerian striker emerging here and there in Europe just like we’ve seen with class acts like David Okereke and Stephen Odey to name but a few. As experience cannot be bought from the market or fetched from the water tap, it’s wise that Ighalo and Nigeria continue their reunion as this will give other young strikers the fortitude and bearing to carve a niche for themselves on the green and white shirt.
Imagine Odion Ighalo with Ademola Lookman, (inform) Isaac Success, Paul Onuachu and Cyriel Dessers in the attack, it will be a balanced mix of players as there is sufficient experience and youthful exuberance to create equilibrium within the Nigerian set-up. The combination above makes the team be mature while maintaining the
hunger to achieve the dream expected of a typical Nigerian team at the highest level.
Like we always say Ighalo give us 2 or 3 more years and he will stand the chance to write his name in the Nigerian football archives as a Legend.
If he returns to the National team he will have the opportunity of achieving much with these breed of talents as is evident from the names mentioned above with Kelechi Iheanacho and the Samuel’s (Chukwueze and Kalu) inclusive as we hope for the best for our darling team the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Hope Gernot Rohr concur with the needful which regards Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo as that has been the case with the Nigerian gaffer in the last three years of his tenure with the Super Eagles.
God Bless Nigeria, Forza Manchester United.
