‘We have Victor Osimhen’ – Odion Ighalo explains his Super Eagles return rejection

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria striker Odion Jude Ighalo has stated that the senior national team is in safe hands with the prolific goal-scoring form of Victor Osimhen.

The Al Hilal striker revealed that Jose Peseiro, who succeeded Austin Eguavoen in May 2022, tried to lure him back to the squad, while stressing that the Napoli striker has the capability of shouldering Nigeria’s goal-scoring duties.

“We have the best striker absolutely in Africa, if not in the world, we have Victor Osimhen, so why would I stress about National? The national team is in safe hands,” Ighalo told Omasports TV.

“But you know I’m not going back because now I want to concentrate on my club. The body is not like it used to be, and the young Lads are doing so well, so I wish them well.

“It’s a dicey I can’t imagine, but I’m a Nigerian I’ll still love to play for my country, but now I don’t think I want to do that, you know, even the new coach that came in messaged me, called me and that I should make a decision if I want to come back, I said I would let him know.”

Osimhen is in the form of his life for Italian Serie A leaders, Napoli with 13 goals and three assists in 15 league games this season.

The former Lille and Charleroi forward will hope to replicate the same goal-scoring form with Nigeria as the team prepares to face Guinea Bissau in March in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers.

Jose Peseiro’s side tops Group A with a maximum of six points after two games, two points better than Guinea Bissau.