Some former internationals have tacitly supported the subtle plans by the Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr to bring Odion Ighalo out of retirement to play for the national team again.
In a chat with Daily Trust, former Nigerian utility player, Garba Lawal threw his weight behind Rohr’s plan to recall the experienced striker saying he has more experience than other young strikers like Simy Nwankwo.
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He, however, maintained that the final decision lies with the national team coach.
“Everyone has his own abilities. Ighalo had been in the national team for years and had paid his dues. You can’t compare him with someone just coming up.
“Experience counts in football. He is not blocking anybody’s chances even though he is retired.
“If the coach wants to bring him back, it depends on him. He has the final say. If the coach brings him, the younger players will learn from him, otherwise they should bid their time.
In the same vein, Mutiu Adepoju popularly called the ‘Headmaster’ is of the opinion that there are some unknown reasons the coach wants Ighalo back in the team.
“There is a reason why the coach wants to have him back in the team. It is not for me to say it is a wrong move or a right one. It all depends on the decision of the coaches.
“Ighalo has said he is not playing again but for the coach to look for him, maybe there is something he sees in him,” he said.
Ighalo retired from the national team in 2019 after the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt where he emerged the highest goal scorer.
During his time, he scored 16 goals in 35 appearances for the Super Eagles.
Ighalo currently plays for Saudi-Arabia side, Al Shabab. His former clubs include Prime FC, Julius Berger, Lyn, Udinese, Granada, Watford, Changchun Yatai, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua and his boyhood club, Manchester United.
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