Ighalo: Nigerians almost buried me for miss at 2018 World Cup

Former Manchester United FC striker Odion Ighalo has recalled memories of how Nigerians almost buried him for missing a goal-scoring chance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup match vs Argentina.

The result of that game ensured Nigeria bowed out of the tournament in the group stage, and dissapointed Nigerian fans took their pain out on Odion Ighalo and the Referee for the game.

Nigeria need to win that game to reach the knockout round. Odion Ighalo failed to beat goalkepeer Sergio Romero after the ball deflected to him from a Marcos Rojo handball.

That miss plus the Referee’s decision not to award the Eagles a penalty in line with then new handball rules, sealed Nigeria’s exit despite a fine performance in a very heated game vs Argentina.

Ighalo now 34 and no longer the leading marksman for the Super Eagles says that game and the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualification Playoffs loss to Ghana are his most difficult moments with the National team.

The two worst experiences I had with the Super Eagles was the game against Argentina at the 2018 World Cup when I missed a chance and the whole of Nigeria wanted to bury me alive,” Ighalo told Elegbete TV.

“Also the last World Cup which we did not qualify for was another bad time for me. I believe we had the tools and everything in our possession to qualify for that World Cup.

“We were playing at home, which was an advantage. The stadium was crowded that day and that was an advantage for us.

“But due to some circumstances or selfish reasons for some people, we did not get to qualify. However, we have to look forward. ” Ighalo said as he bared his mind on a number of issues including playing in the Nigeria Premier League before retiring from active football.