Saudi Arabia club Al shabab have maintained that Super Eagles striker Odion Jude Ighalo won’t be allowed to represent Nigeria at the delayed 2021 African cup of Nations which kicks off in Cameroon on Sunday 9th January 2022, Owosports.com.ng reports.
According to reports from Totorinews, it was gathered that the main reason the striker may not feature for Nigeria at the AFCON tournament in Cameroon is due to the fact Al Shabab Fc signed Ighalo with the understanding and knowledge that the former Manchester United striker had ended his romance with the national team.
Recall that Ighalo called it quit with the Super Eagles at the end of 2019 AFCON tournament in Egypt and all through his brief period with Manchester United, the lethal weapon did not feature for the Super Eagles.
It was therefore a surprise when the former gaffer of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr made a request to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) demanding that Ighalo should come out from retirement and play for the national team of Nigeria.
Al Shabab Fc released Ighalo to play the world cup qualifier due to the fact that it was FIFA international window where every league goes on break, but the situation at the moment is quite different.
Strangely, Al Shabab management had earlier agreed to release Ighalo, but later changed their mind after analysing how his absence may jeopardize the ambitions of the club this season.
Although, the NFF is not relenting on the need to see Ighalo being released for AFCON tournament in Cameroon, the possibility of making it a reality looks very slim.
Despite this development, the Super Eagles will not be lacking players in the striking unit of the team, Sadiq Umar Taiwo Awoniyi and Peter Olayinka are equal to the task of converting the chances of the team into goals in Cameroon.
Source: Totorinews
