Ighalo included in Rohr’s World Cup qualifying squad

Gernot Rohr, the coach of the Super Eagles, has named Al Shabab striker Odion Ighalo to his 40-man provisional list for next month’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde.

The Franco-German coach is a huge fan of the former Manchester United striker, who finished top scorer at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations before retiring from international football.

In a recent Instagram post, Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick hinted that talks for Ighalo’s return to the national team were already underway.

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“I had a lengthy conversation with Odion Ighalo; personally, I believe we require experience in our attack to complement our energetically youthful Osinmeh, Onuachu, Kelechi, and others.” “Odion’s body language is extremely positive,” Pinnick observed.

In an interview with Elegbete TV, Rohr revealed that the former Nigeria U-20 captain was included in his 40-man provisional list for the games against Liberia and Cape Verde, but it is unclear whether the striker has given his word to return to the team.

“Ighalo is a very important man, and I hope he can return.” I’ve added him to the 40-man provisional list for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and we’re in contact. He’s doing very well at his club, and he still wants to help his country. We have a lot of good strikers like Awoniyi, Moffi, Onuachu, and Osimhen, but no one like Ighalo.

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“Ighalo is unique. He’s a unique player who sees everything. Our team now lacks maturity and experience, and this is where he could assist us, as we miss his leadership, experience, and goals. He was the leading scorer in both the previous AFCON and the qualifiers. I believe we have a lot of young players, but they could learn a lot from such a good player.”

Ighalo, who scored 16 goals in 35 appearances for the Eagles between 2015 and 2019, has been in excellent form for his club, scoring eight goals in nine league games.

He was named to the Saudi League’s Team of the Week for their games in week nine.