Wife of ex-Nigerian footballer, Sonia Ighalo has opened up on the struggles of the Former Super Eagles star, Odion Jude Ighalo during and after the 2018 World cup famous last group game against Argentina which Nigeria lost 2-1.
In the Aftermath of the game, Odion Ighalo came under serious criticism and backlash from angry Nigerian football fans following his missed chances, who also took it personal sending threats to the family of the footballer.
Ighalo’s wife in an appreciatory post on her Instagram account recounted the journey from the 2018 World cup to the 2019 Afcon,
“My king my hero a true born king… I could write a long epistle about the journey and battle we fought before and after world cup… I remember the famous Nigeria vs Argentina match when you called that morning crying, telling me how you woke up with heavy pains on both legs… my first thought was, why today when you have a crucial game…my heart was heavy to hear you cry.. because I have known you to be a strong man even when in pains you always try to hide it from me to avoid me panicking.. to hear you say “HL I cant move my legs” I knew it has come to worst.. I went on my kneels crying and praying to God.. fast forward after the famous match, right from the stadium I started asking God why… because that wasn’t his promises.. everyone around me tried to console me… few min later I started receiving death threat, keyboard warriors cursing my children, they called me witch and all sort of names… I remember someone even made a comment on instablog saying how I lost a child etc… some so called celebrity actress, musicians posting trash on Twitter to insult u, knowing fully they are on the same table… so I said to myself ENOUGH!! You ain’t going to play with the super eagles anymore… Few months later, you got a call from the coach, I was so pissed and I said if you go there, you ain’t seeing us anymore😁 your MOG had to call to convince me that God is preparing a table for you in the presence of your enemy.. Fast forward TO the AFCON qualifiers we prayed and God heard our prayers, the world celebrated u as the highest goal scorer for the qualifiers…and today we celebrate you as you have left a blue print in the just concluded tournament in Egypt… Winning the golden boot isn’t just what I’m happy for, but proving to the world no one can FIGHT GRACE. You are blessed my Hero 🙏 IN & OUT football you’ve proved you are a destiny child on assignment ❤ NENE gave birth to a true Champion💎
I also want to use this opportunity to say a big THANK YOU to coach Gernot Rohr who in all never gave up on you🙏”
THe story which shows a transition from pain to joy, also gives a hint to the reason behind Ighalo’s retirement. Ighalo called time on his national team commitments after finishing as the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations’ top scorer with five goals.
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