Football
What Osimhen Has to Say about Ighalo’s Rumoured Return to Nigeria
Osimhen puts to rest rumours of rivalry between him and Ighalo.
One plays for Lille and the other for Manchester United. Both are making marks with Victor Osimhen just about fully sprouting out in the European game while Odion is not only a household name in the continent but in the English Premier League where he is back to help prevent a striker rot at Manchester United.
There’s a possibility the duo could be sharing the EPL with Southampton, Everton and Leicester City clamouring for Victor’s signature.
When Odion retired from international football, bowing out with the Africa Cup of Nations 2019 golden boot after plundering in five goals, there were worries over who fills in the vacated number nine Super Eagles’ jersey.
Then Victor rose to do it, emerging as a force to replenish the goals.
His display in the 5-2 demolition of Lesotho and before then, in the wins over Benin and Togo, manifest of a goal-getter yet to reach his potentials but still capable of shouldering Nigeria’s scoring responsibilities, never mind Paul Ounachu’s presence.
There is a theory that the return of Ighalo to Nigeria in the Super Eagles’ March ties with Sierra Leone could mean limited playing time for the fast-rising Victor who, commentators fear, could be forced to sit out those international fixtures and hence breed some form of unhealthy rivalry.
One thing, Ighalo coming out of retirement represents a huge up in revenue for the West Africans in terms of marketing considering his ties with Manchester United albeit on a short term basis.
However, rumours refuse to go away that gaffer Gernot Rohr cannot field both strikers and favours the Red Devils’ forward’s experience any day in his formations.
This has inevitably given rise to some rumours of existing animosity but Victor isn’t buying the tale and sees no qualms with who starts or benches between them.
“Ighalo is welcome (to the national team). He did so well for us in AFCON and of course in the qualifiers,” the 21-year-old Barcelona transfer target said of Odion.
“He is welcome anytime. Whether I am on the bench or I’m starting, it will be very good for me to try and watch him play and try to help the team also. He is welcome anytime, for me to be on the bench or playing, I have no problem with that,” the Lille’s striker said.
Oshimhen’s remarks, it’s now expected, pour cold water to the inflammatory assertions about him and Ighalo as Nigeria target forging a deadly partnership with the pair.
