President of the NFF Amaju Pinnick has hinted that Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia forward Odion Ighalo may return to the Super Eagles as they approach the crucial stage of the World Cup qualifiers, reports OwnGoalNigeria,com
Ighalo announced his retirement from international football after finishing as top scorer at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria emerged as second runners up by beating Tunisia in the third place match.
Despite the presence of a host of young forwards who are doing well like Victor Osimhen, Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi, Taiwo Awoniyi and Sadiq Umar, Pinnick said the talks over the return of Ighalo to the team is needed as his experience could be decisive in the final stage of the World Cup qualifiers.
“I had a long conversation with Ighalo, personally I believe we need experience in our attack to combine with the energetically youthful Osimhen, Onuachu, Kelechi et al. Ighalo body language is very positive. We are also in touch with his agent and club,” Pinnick reportedly said.
In a related development, Pinnick also claimed recuperating Wilfred Ndidi will be fit for the Super Eagles’ final round of World Cup Qualifiers games against Liberia and Cape Verde respectively.
Ndidi has been out injured since the start of the month, missing the Super Eagles back to back games against Central Africa Republic (CAR) and he was also expected to miss the remaining games of the qualifiers.
He was expected to return to training after the international break but according to Pinnick he will resume training next week and hopefully play against Arsenal in their next game as he is well ahead of schedule on his return from injury.
Pinnick made this known in a post on his social media account after a visit to the midfielder where he also met with his Leicester City teammate Kelechi Iheanacho.
“I spent quality time with Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho in Leicester over the weekend. I went with my wife and three of my kids who are on half term break. Our visit was a mere family visit and not official,” he posted.
“Recall Wilfred is recuperating from an injury that has kept him out for about five weeks, being a very key player for the Super Eagles we cannot afford to toy with our last two games. Ndidi has been integral, committed and passionate player of the Super Eagles.
“The good news is that his second scan came out very good and he has started training with his club and possibly play in their next game”.