By Anthony Obaseki on July 24, 2019
Nigeria forward Odion Ighalo says he is standing by his decision to retire from international football despite an attempt by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick to persuade him to change his mind.
Ighalo finished as both 2019 Africa Cup of nations (AFCON) qualifying top scorer with seven goals and tournament top scorer with five, helping Nigeria to beat Tunisia 1-0 to claim the bronze last Wednesday night, and then announced his retirement soon after.
On Saturday Pinnick had claimed that the striker had reversed his decision. But Ighalo said that was not the case
“It is not true that I have reversed my decision,” Ighalo said. “The (NFF) President spoke to me and asked me to reconsider. Out of respect for him, I said I would think about it. I consulted with my family and we decided that the best thing for me now is to stand by the decision.
“I love my country and it was not an easy decision to make. But I believe the time is right. I am now out for eight weeks and my club are not happy about it, but I thank God for everything.”
Ighalo, something of a late bloomer, made his senior debut for Nigeria in 2015 as the Super Eagles lost 0-1 to Uganda in a friendly.
He finished with 35 appearances for Nigeria, scoring 16 goals, an average of just under a goal a game.
•Photo shows Odion Ighalo
Source Daily Sports
Posted July 24, 2019
You may also like...
Banned Kenya and Zimbabwe to be included in...
Liverpool Back on Top of EPL Table after...
BREAKING NEWS: Super Eagles disgrace Indomitable Lions in...
Champions League: Bayern Deserved To Lose To Liverpool...
Learn from me, Esin tells Osimhen
Ronaldo Penalty Gives Unconvincing Man Utd Win At...
Rivers Saga: Don’t Beg Wike, We Will Show FG – Rivers Elders To Fubara
Over 100 racers for 2025 Ondo Auto Rally
NPFL: Remo open 12-point gap after Plateau win
Court Judgement: Adeyanju Commends Fubara, Says Wike’s Personal Interest Must Not Prevail
Supreme court judgement on Rivers state setting Nigeria’s democracy on a dangerous path – Obi warns Tinubu
2025 Session of the Ondo Auto Rally to Rev Up Ilara-Mokin on April 19.
Osimhen keen on Old Trafford switch
Isaac: Son of ex-Flying Eagles captain, Promise, following father’s footsteps
Rivers Hoopers drawn in BAL Kalahari Conference
_1.jpg)
Joshua does not want rematch with ‘menace’ Parker – Promoter
Aruna suffers defeat in Africa Cup final
United in pole position to land Osimhen
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (55,333 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,480 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,505 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,142 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (44,107 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (44,100 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,909 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,455 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,545 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,206 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,645 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (39,070 views)