Osimhen reacts to Ighalo’s Super Eagles return

The Al-Shabab striker’s return to the national team has been criticised, but the Napoli number nine insists it benefits the squad 

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has revealed that he has no problem with the return of Odion Ighalo to the Super Eagles squad. 

Ighalo retired from international football in 2019, but more than two years after his retirement, he is back in the national team after coach Gernot Rohr invited him for Nigeria’s clash against Liberia and Cape Verde. 

Osimhen took over from Ighalo when he retired after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and has been more than a perfect replacement for the former Manchester United striker. 

But with the Al-Shabab striker’s return, critics believe Osimhen may not be happy with the decision, and he could see it as a lack of trust.

However, the former Lille striker has now debunked those rumours, saying it is a good development for the Super Eagles. 

“It’s good, it is good for the team, and of course, the coaches and the Federation knows what’s best for the team,” Osimhen told the Super Eagles media team. 

“We welcome him with open hands, and we are looking forward to receiving him in the camp.”

“And like I said before, he’s like a big brother to me, and I really love him a lot, and I will learn a lot from him. 

“For me, it’s one of the most important things to have him in the squad, and like I said before, we all have the common goal to qualify the nation for the World Cup and to well at the AFCON.”

“So whatsoever it is good for the team, I think the Federation and the coach will bring it into play,” Osimhen concluded. 

Ighalo is yet to arrive at camp, but he is expected on Thursday ahead of the game against Liberia in Tangiers on Saturday. 

Nigeria need just a win from their final group games in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers to seal a place in the two-legged playoff round.