‘It is your cup of tea’ – Ighalo slams critics over Eagles return

Odion Ighalo is letting those who have criticized his return to the Super Eagles know it is their problem.

The former Manchester United striker retired from the national team shortly after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations for various reasons.

Ighalo said the reasons he retired in 2019 were to give the younger striker chance to play and to also focus on his club football.

“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 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.”

Nigerians were surprised when Odion Ighalo was handed a return into the Super Eagles fold after his retirement.

But Odion Ighalo has hit out at his critics for talking about his call up into the national team.

“I don’t pay attention to that. Everything they’re saying is their own cup of tea. At my age, I just signed for a new team. This is my 11th team in my professional career, Ighalo said according to Punch who quoted ESPN FC.

“I have been called up, I will take my bag and I will go to represent my country and give my best on 100 percent.

“As long as I come out from every game and I’m satisfied with my performance — whether it is a win, loss, or draw — then that’s it. I’m a professional footballer.

“This is what I’ve been doing for 17-18 years so why would I be worried about what people say?”

Odion Ighalo will be in line to add more to his Super Eagles appearances when Nigeria and Ghana play for the 2022 World Cup ticket this March.