The return of retired Super Eagles forward, Odion Ighalo back into the team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde is presently generating heated debate and reactions from football lovers around the country.
Recall that on Monday, Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr named Ighalo in the 22-man squad that was released for the crucial qualifiers few weeks after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Amaju Pinnick had hinted of his possible recall to the senior national team.
Interestingly, the last time the former Watford striker played for Nigeria was at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team won bronze after defeating Tunisia 1-0 in the Third-place match.
Few weeks after the tournament, Ighalo announced his retirement in a bid to focus on club football. Before his retirement, he scored 16 goals in 35 games for the Super Eagles.
No doubt, Ighalo has been enjoying a good run of form in Saudi Arabia where he plays for Al Shabab, who are presently second on the log in the Pro-League, two points behind table-toppers Al-Ittihad.
Rohr pointed out that he wants the Al Shabab striker because the Super Eagles badly needs his leadership qualities with so many young strikers in the current squad, and has labeled Ighalo a ‘great player’. Ighalo is proving that age is just a number as he is still going strong at the age of 32, scoring eight goals in nine matches in the new Saudi Pro League season.
However, he has not fully made up his mind to come out of retirement despite the fact that his name has been listed for the qualifiers.
Though many wonder why Ighalo is being ‘pressured ‘ for a return to the national team despite having the likes of Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Paul Onuachu, Taiwo Awoniyi, Terem Moffi and Sadiq Umar amongst others, the NFF President feels it is a move in the right direction.
In a chat with Thepledge, former Nigerian striker, Jonathan Akpoborie believes the invitation of Ighalo to the Super Eagles will be Rohr’s biggest mistake.
Akpoborie said that the German tactician should have stuck with his main strikers such as Osimhen, Onuachu, Iheanacho, Onyekuru, Awoniyi and others to execute the World Cup qualifiers.
“This may just be Rohr’s biggest mistake as coach of the Super Eagles. I really don’t know why Ighalo should be invited to the Super Eagles after quitting the senior national team in 2019.
“This is not the best way to boost the morale of the young strikers that qualified the team for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations even without Ighalo. I am just not happy with the whole situation and I will feel bad if he succumb to NFF President’ Amaju Pinnick’s pressure.”
In the same vein, former Nigerian forward, Victor Ikpeba also kicked against the return of Odion Ighalo to the Super Eagles squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde respectively.
“I don’t really like the invitation of Ighalo to the Super Eagles. I want to believe that the coach knows why they have recalled him to the team even when he has not given any response so far.
“Well, it could be mind games. However, the return of Alex Iwobi to the Super Eagles will provide the necessary assist for him.”
Also, former Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju also faulted the decision to recall the ex-Man United striker.
He said: “I like Ighalo as a player and he is a very good striker. He retired from the Super Eagles about two years ago and I believe we presently have strikers that are good enough in the team. Well I don’t know the reason for his recall. We have Osimhen that is scoring very well in his club, we have Kelechi Iheanacho, Awoniyi and so many of them but what I’m saying is just my opinion.
“If we have players! Who are doing very well and scoring goals in their clubs, do we still have to recall Ighalo? It’s just my opinion.”
Taking a different perspective from other ex-internationals, former Eagles goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu, opined that the coach wants the best for the team, with the recall of Ighalo.
“The coach wants the best for the country and he if says he wants Ighalo, as long as he gives us result, it is his choice,” Shorunmu said.
It is yet to be seen if the recall of Ighalo will be a blessing in disguise to the Super Eagles or will be a disaster especially as the team seek to secure a ticket to the last qualifying stage in order to book a ticket to Qatar 2022.
Will Ighalo’s return distract the team? Will he score the decisive goals that will land the S’Eagles a ticket to their seventh world cup? Only time will tell.