Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo may have hung his boots after featuring for the Super Eagles at the AFCON 2019 competition in Egypt.
However. his achievement in the green and white shirt would not go unnoticed. This he achieved alongside the attacking trio of Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho and the retired Victor Moses.
Following Ighalo’s quest to retire from international football, we take a look at some of the finest moments he gave to soccer-loving Nigerians.
NIGERIA 4-0 LIBYA (HAT-TRICK)
The Super Eagles star was at his best when Nigeria played host to North African side Libya. The visitors were full of boasting as they said they would cause an upset against the supposed star-studded Nigerian team.
They couldn’t live up to their words as Ighalo rose to the occasion to down Libyans. The 30-year old scored a hat-trick, but it was the third goal that made it special.
He received a through ball from former Arsenal star Alex Iwobi, before rounding the keeper to make it 3-0 for Nigeria and a hat-trick on the day thus claiming the match ball in the contest.
LIBYA 2-3 NIGERIA (Two Goals)
In the return leg, Ighalo produced the magic to restore Nigeria’s lead after the Libyans had equalized to make it 2-2 in the second half.
Nigeria scored two early goals through Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo, but the Libyans gave Nigeria a reality check by scoring twice to draw level.
However, Ighalo’s prowess salvaged the three points. He swept aside the Libyans defence with a clever touch from a dribble to slam the ball home in the bottom corner.
NIGERIA 4-0 CAMEROON (1 GOAL)
The Manchester United star slammed the ball home to make it 1-0 in the crucial African World Cup qualifier against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. This goal led to further strikes from John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Kelechi Iheanacho in that order.
It was a special moment for the Super Eagles number nine as he beat his marker to open the scoring left-foot strike in the first period before John Obi Mikel added the second at the stroke of half time.
This and more are some of Odion’s superb showings in the green and white shirt for Nigeria’s Super Eagles. It is why the debate is on for the player (Ighalo) with regards to whether he should return to the National team or stick to his retirement decision as the case may be.
