Odion Ighalo releases a statement confirming his retirement from the National team, thanking fans and the Nigeria Football Federation for a wonderful five years of service.
Ighalo releases the statement two days after the now Ex-Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel announced that he was hanging his boot playing for the National team. Although still just 30-years of age, the China based striker had a great outing at the just concluded AFCON 2019 in Egypt, winning the golden boot for his five goals in the tournament.
The statement of him announcing his retirement comes a day after the news broke that he has called it quit with the Nigerian National team.
Taking to his Instagram account, the man who saw his AFCON journey cut short with injury during the third place match against Tunisia in which Nigeria won the Bronze medal, have this to say about his retirement:
“This is one of the most difficult career decisions I have had to take. It’s been an amazing 5 years journey,but after due consultation and extensive discussion with my family I have decided it’s time for me to retire from the National team. It’s has been an eventful and most memorable opportunity to serve my country with pride,passion and to contribute my quota to the development of our football,the memories would stay with me for a long time and I’m immensely grateful. It is now time to concentrate on Club football and give the younger players chance to learn and grow. I would love to thank the NFF,coach Gernot Rohr for believing in me against all odds,to my teammates for their professionalism and team spirit without you guys I wouldn’t have achieved so much with this team. To NIGERIAN football fans all over the world,I SAY THANK YOU, you were always there to cheer us on and our 12th players every time we step into the pitch. I will be watching and cheering the SUPER EAGLES from this side. THANK YOU…..signing OUT ✍