'Alex Iwobi, Musa Assisted Ighalo To Score' - Ex-Watford Striker Once Again Receives Praise From Rohr

Published: October 26, 2018

Gernot Rohr had positive things to say on the performance of Odion Ighalo in the two Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Libya earlier this month.

The Super Eagles gaffer spoke to the South African media ahead of next month's match day five fixture between his team and Bafana Bafana in Soccer City.

Since the end of the 2018 World Cup, Ighalo has netted six goals in three competitive appearances for the Super Eagles and Rohr has praised Ahmed Musa and Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi for assisting the former Watford star score the goals.

''His motivation was immense, and he wanted to prove his critics wrong. He was criticised heavily after the World Cup and he wanted to silence his doubters,'' Rohr told Kick Off Magazine.

''We encouraged him and expressed our trust in him. After our exit against Argentina he was heavily criticised, but we stood by him and he thanked us with his goals.

''In addition, he benefited from his teammates assisting him. From Alex Iwobi to Ahmed Musa, they are able to play brilliant passes, and Ighalo benefited from our collective attacking football as a team.''

Rohr has confirmed that Ighalo received death threats after the 2018 World Cup and he was able to help the player go through it.

''Definitely. It was definitely the case now, because even his family was threatened and that is a step too far.

''We do know that it is based on the incredible passion of our fans, but sometimes it goes over the acceptable boundaries.

''Unfortunately sometimes fans take it a step too far, and this was the case with Ighalo,'' the German added.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel