Rohr Replies Ighalo's Critics, Explains Why The Striker Was Invited For Libya Games

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has admitted that former Watford striker Odion Ighalo struggled at the 2018 World Cup but had no choice but to call him up for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Libya on the back of his impressive form for Changchun Yatai.

The Super Eagles fans have been sulking over the invitation of Ighalo as he has not yet been forgiven for missing a gilt-edged chance in Nigeria's 2-1 loss to Argentina in this summer's football festival.

With 13 goals in 14 league matches after the tournament in Russia, Rohr would have done himself injustice if the player was not considered for the games against the Mediterranean Knights.

Speaking at Thursday's press conference, Rohr stated : ''Ighalo is a player who did very well for the country during the World Cup qualifiers, particularly against Cameroon.

''He had a difficult World Cup, which was not so easy for him, but he is doing well for his club having scored over 20 goals – it was a good reason to invite him.

''And we don’t have the time to change all our offensive players and that was why we invited Isaac Success.''

Ighalo was on target in the Super Eagles 3-0 rout of Seychelles last month, his fourth international goal since debuting in 2015.

Igho Kingsley