NPFL Homecoming: Odion Ighalo hints on retiring at Bendel Insurance

The former Manchester United player revealed that should he attempt to retire from playing professional football abroad, he would only play for Bendel Insurance.

The 33-year-old forward is progressing towards the latter stages of his illustrious career that has seen him play for Manchester United, Watford, Udinese, Granada, Shanghai Shenhua, Lyn, Cesena, Changchun Yatai and Al Shabab.

Ighalo currently leads the attack for 18-time Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal, having joined them from Al Shabab in 2022.

The ‘favour-over-labour’ man made this revelation during a chat with NaijaMade, a show on Supersport that if he were to retire in Nigeria, he would only play for Benin-based Bendel Insurance.

The Benin Arsenals are currently on a three-match unbeaten run in the NPFL and second in Group A on 9 points. They have scored five goals in three matches, conceding only once against Plateau United.

“Our players abroad can come back to Nigeria, but security must be improved upon in,” he told Supersport.

“The league (NPFL) have to be well organised. A lot of money will be pumped into the game and matches should be on television,” he added as he spoke from his Saudi Arabia base.

However, the league have witnessed some star players come back from abroad after their illustrious career to don the shirt of the homegrown Clubs.

Among which are players like Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa returned home to play for Kano Pillars for a short period of time, Daniel Amokachi returned from Europe to play for Nasarawa United in 2005,

Meanwhile, Insurance will slug it out with Remo Stars in a top-of-the-table clash at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Saturday for their matchday four outing.