Ighalo Discloses 1 Big Thing He Was Offered to Take From Osimhen When He Returned to Super Eagles

Ighalo Discloses 1 Big Thing He Was Offered to Take From Osimhen When He Returned to Super Eagles

Ibitoye Shittu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:51 PM
  • Odion Ighalo recently made a return to the Super Eagles after two years and played against Cape Verde in Lagos
  • The former Manchester United striker explained that he was offered the jersey number 9 when he returned
  • Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has been using the jersey number 9 since and has been impressive for the Super Eagles

Odion Ighalo has disclosed that a top member of the Nigerian Football Federation offered him the chance to take back the jersey number 9 from Victor Osimhen when he returned to the Super Eagles.

But the former Manchester United striker claimed that he rejected the offer and asked to be given any available shirt number to wear on his return to the Nigerian squad.

Ighalo decided to step aside from the Super Eagles after the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt where he finished as the highest goalscorer in the tournament.

Odion Ighalo
Odion Ighalo in action for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Photo by Patrick Smith
Source: Getty Images

Why did Odion Ighalo quit the Super Eagles then?

The former Watford striker did not give the main reason for his decision as he claimed it was personal and then decided to focus on his club career.

His brilliant performances at Manchester United and when he moved to Saudi Arabian League made the NFF chiefs to recall him back to the Super Eagles.

Odion Ighalo featured for the Super Eagles in their last game against Cape Verde at the Teslim Balogun stadium.

According to the report on Complete Sports citing ESPN, Odion Ighalo explained that he was not interested in taking jersey number 9 from Osimhen.

Odion Ighalo's reaction

“A top NFF official told me I could have the number nine jersey back, and I told him no.
“I had left it. Osimhen is using it now and coming back, I’m going to play with any jersey number.”
“I told them to give me any jersey available. I can play with my bare skin for Nigeria, I’m a patriotic Nigerian. If it means me playing without a shirt in this team, I’m going to play. It’s not the shirt that score the goals.”

Ighalo rushes back home To have dinner with his mom immediately after Nigeria vs Cape Verde

Earlier, Legit.ng had reported how Odion Ighalo quickly rushed back home to say hello to his mum shortly after the Super Eagles were held by Cape Verde at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

The Al-Shabab striker failed to find the back of the net but will be happy with his performance against the Blue Sharksin Surulere.

Ighalo posted a video on his Instagram to pay homepage this beloved mum popularly known as 'Mama Al-Shabab'.

The 33-year-old was reigned with eulogies from his mum as she called him 'the true son of Igahlo' and spoke their local dialect as she hugged him.

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Ibitoye Shittu
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