Odion Ighalo has explained the reasons behind his decision to come out of international retirement, after three years.
Ighalo announced his retirement from international football, immediately after the 2019 African Cup of Nations.
Ighalo finished the tournament as the top scorer and and scored the only goal that secured bronze medal for Nigeria, at the expense of Tunisia.
Ighalo started the game against Cape Verde at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Friday and was unlucky not to marked his return with a goal.
However, some reports suggested, he was forced to reconsider his position by the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, but refuted the claims and stated that Gernot Rohr played a key role in his decision.
“I prayed about it and then I told my mom, because after the World cup a lot of things happened (the death threat and all of that), and I said, I’m not going to play for Nigeria anymore , but Coach Gernot Rohr was there for me.”
“He called me every time and told me not to quit and all the best players in the world missed chances. He gave me the confidence that I’m score again and the same people who criticised me, will praise me.”
“I listened to him and things worked out, so i left, but he has been calling and texting me since I retired. So a man that was there for me, am i going to turn him down now, especially when he keeps saying, he needs me?.
“The pressure was much and so he needed me and I have to be there for him too.” Ighalo told NFF TV.
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