Rohr Explains Why He Wants Former Manchester United Striker Back In Super Eagles

Published: February 10, 2021

Gernot Rohr has not ruled out the possibility of inviting Odion Ighalo to the Super Eagles in the near future, provided the former Manchester United striker rescinds his decision to call time on his international career.

The German coach noted that Ahmed Musa was consistently invited to the national team after his move to Saudi Arabian Pro League club Al-Nassr in 2018.

Ighalo decided to retire from the Super Eagles shortly after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, stating that the long distance from Asia to Nigeria and back whenever he was called up for national team duties was wearing him out.

Rohr explained that he wants his former number 9 back in the team because of his experience and he could mentor the younger players, especially strikers.

"I'm at first very happy that he had a good contract, you know that he is more than 30 already and he has to think about the time after football but he's still very fit and playing regularly in his new club Al-Shabab, it's a big club in Saudi Arabia," Rohr stated.

"There's no reason not to take him in the Super Eagles if he's doing well. Ahmed Musa was also in Saudi Arabia and he played with us, so there's no problem.

"The question is does he want to come back? We hope so because he's an experienced player, we have a young team and he can be very useful to his partners, strikers, to help them to develop, and to come back and score goals with us.

"We are waiting for that but at first he has to play now".

Ighalo's last international appearance was against Tunisia in the 2019 AFCON third place play off, where he scored the winning goal before making way for Victor Osimhen in the 46th minute.

Igho Kingsley

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