Shanghai Shenhua forward, Odion Ighalo, has apologised to the fans following the injury copped while on his “last international competition” for his national team.
Ighalo picked up what looked like a hamstring during Nigeria’s final game at the AFCON 2019, but it was upgraded to a knee injury.
With Shanghai Shenhua two places above relegation, the 30 year-old forward described his current situation as “the most difficult season in my club career”.
In an open letter to the club fans posted on instagram he declared his desire to return “ASAP to end the season very well”.
“This is the most difficult season in my club career but playing for my country has always been a dream and this is the last big tournament in my international career, I’m so unlucky to have got the same injury and especially this period that my team needs me, I feel so sorry for the fans that I will be missing some games but I will work hard to be back ASAP to end the season very well.”
Meanwhile, Ighalo who also finished the AFCON 2019 as top scorer – with five goals – announced his international retirement in the early hours of Saturday.
In a twist, the Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick per Osasu Obayiuwana said, “I have had a chat with him and he has reversed this decision. He has been under a lot of pressure from his Chinese club. But everything is now fine and he shall continue with the national team.”
But Ighalo, who has been quoted by the same source refutes the FA President’s insistence he had reversed his international retirement.
“My decision to retire from the @NGSuperEagles stands. But the NFF President has spoken to me, to reverse the retirement. Out of respect, for him and his position, I have had to listen to him. But I have not changed my position yet.”
…makes AFCON’s best XI
Odion Ighalo has been named as one of the best eleven from the just concluded 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Ighalo is the only Nigerian in the African best XI named by Confederation of African Football on Saturday morning.
The list was mainly by Senegal and Algeria players.
The 30-year old scored five goals to win the highest goal scorer gong in the African football show piece in Egypt.
Expectedly, Algeria’s Rais M’Bolhi is named as the best goalkeeper because he conceded just two goals throughout the tournament.
Goals from Kodija of Ivory Coast and a penalty kick converted by Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo were the only goals he conceded in normal time.
His countrymen, Ismael Bennacer, Adlene Guediora and Riyad Mahrez are also listed.
Liverpool and Senegal’s talisman, Sadio Mane made the cut.
List of African best XI:
Goalkeeper: Rais M’Bolhi (Algeria)
Defenders: Lamine Gassama (Senegal), Yassine Meriah (Tunisia), Youssouf Sabaly (Senegal), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal)
Midfielders: Adlene Guediora (Algeria), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Senegal), Ismael Bennacer (Algeria)
Forwards: Riyad Mahrez (Algeria), Sadio Mane (Senegal), Odion Jude Ighalo (Nigeria)
Coach: Djamel Belmadi (Algeria).
