“We see pepper” – Former Manchester United star recalls tough Nigerian childhood

Greater than fifteen years after turning an expert, the previous Premier League star can look again at his profession with a way of success

Tremendous Eagles ahead Odion Ighalo is happy with how far soccer has taken him away from a lifetime of battle and hardship that beset his childhood.

Born in Lagos, the financial capital of Africa’s most populous nation, Ighalo was raised within the slums of Ajegunle.

Life shouldn’t be simple for lots of the residents of this sprawling ghetto city, because it continues to retain its status as one in all Lagos’ hardest, most harmful slums.

Many children from ‘AJ Metropolis’, as it’s fondly known as, see soccer as a path to a greater life.

Most are impressed by the successes of superstars like Taribo West, Brown Ideye, Samson Siasia, Obafemi Martins, Taribo West, and Jonathan Akpoborie, who all began there.

Odion Ighalo’s identify can now be added to that good combine.

Ighalo’s rise to stardom

After excelling as a schoolboy at Prime FC, Ighalo impressed at Julius Berger earlier than incomes a transfer to Europe when he joined Lyn Oslo in 2007.

Udinese signed the then 19-year-old ahead the next 12 months however principally despatched him out on mortgage to Granada (twice), Cesena, and Watford.

It was at Vicarage Street that Ighalo discovered his vary as his objectives powered the Golden Boys to Premier League promotion.

After three years, 40 objectives, 11 assists, and 100 appearances, Ighalo earned a heroic standing at Watford.

He departed Europe for Asia, enjoying for Chinese language sides Changchun Yatai and Shanghai Shenhua. However he secured a short lived however gorgeous transfer to Manchester United in 2020, fulfilling a childhood dream.

Ighalo moved to Saudi Arabia afterwards, that includes first for Al-Shabab and presently with Al-Hilal.

The 33-year-old not too long ago fired the Asian Galacticos to the Saudi Professional League title, the primary league honours of his profession.

Reflecting on his journey, Ighalo, the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations prime goalscorer, is satisfied it may solely have been a supreme being answerable for proceedings.

On his official Instagram web page, Ighalo affirms: “A few of us matured early Bcos (as a result of) life confirmed us the worst facet of the world at an early age. We see pepper for Ajegunle these years however GOD DID IT.”

Ighalo is likely one of the Tremendous Eagles’ highest objectives of all time, with 16 objectives in 37 matches.