Fashanu: Recalling Ighalo Would Depress Osimhen & Iheanacho

By Daily sports on April 28, 2021

Ex-Nigeria international Odion Ighalo’s return to the Super Eagles would depress Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho and Paul Onuachu according to former England star John Fashanu.

Ighalo, who retired from international football after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Egypt, has managed to revive his career at Saudi Arabian club Al Shabab following a disappointing spell with English giants Manchester United.

Since 31-year-old Ighalo’s retirement, Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr has used Napoli star Osimhen, Leicester City striker Iheanacho and Genk marksman Onuachu as the Super Eagles booked their place at the 2022 AFCON finals in Cameroon.

“Experience in football counts but we don’t want to do anything to upset the young boys or make them a little bit depressed,” Fashanu told the Punch.

“The only thing Ighalo has to offer to the national team is his experience, it is not his ability because there are players who are far better than him and we know that.

“If Rohr wants to bring him in because he stabilizes the squad, it is fine. I remember when I was in my 30s and the manager kept bringing me back, it wasn’t because I was a great player but I gave the team confidence.”

Ighalo was Nigeria’s best player at the 2019 AFCON finals where he scooped the Golden Boot award after playing an instrumental role in helping the Super Eagles finish third.

“And that might also be the reason why Rohr wants to bring him back but other than that his time is gone,” Fashanu, who was born in England to a Nigerian father, continued.

“Ighalo is in his 30s and in Nigeria we have fantastic prospects that are fighting to get that spot but not all of them can make the squad.

“If you keep playing the older players it is at the detriment of the younger players. It is high time we start seeing 17, 18-year-old geniuses in the national team,” the former Aston Villa player added.

“Where there is no talent the coach may consider bringing him back but there are so many talents and it would be very wrong to bring him back at this stage.”

Ighalo has netted three goals from five starts in the Saudi Professional League thus far this season having joined the club in February 2021. (African Football)

•PHOTO: Odion Ighalo

 

Source Daily sports

Posted April 28, 2021


 

You may also like...
KFN selects 20 Karatekas to repesent Nigeria

PSG v Red Star Belgrade: ‘Match-fixing’ inquiry into...

CAF Awards: I didn’t vote Salah, says Amuneke...

Ighalo on fire as Watford thrash Liverpool in...

B’Faso hold champions Eaglets 0-0 in WAFU U-17...

Onuachu Fires Zagreb Warning With Seraing Hat-Trick

 

Latest News CAF awards: Ajibade, Nnadozie, Edo Queens bag nominations Lagos SWAN, PAACC Hold SWAN Day At Golfview Hotels, Ikeja Crisis looms as Eagles’ form raises AFCON, W’Cup concerns Ex-Nigerian Super Falcons player handcuffed, children assaulted as police storm Anambra Football Academy Sports NFF, teammates console Nwabali on father’s death Abia Govt hails Nigeria Olympic Committee over staging an admin course in Umuahia Libya deliver Eagles 2025 AFCON ticket Eagles battle Cheetahs for 2025 AFCON ticket Yellow Greens gear up for T20 W’Cup qualifiers Tyson tips Fury to beat Joshua Sadiq absent as 22 Eagles train in Abidjan Eagles’ striking trio hot for Cheetahs, Amavubi clashes

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,164 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,308 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,370 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,015 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,948 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,904 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,744 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,312 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,366 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,054 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,507 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,932 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media