BY ANDREW EKEJIUBA
Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has opened up on why he wants retired Super Eagles goal poacher, Odion Ighalo, back to the team.
The Point gathered that Rohr has even gone further to include Ighalo’s name in his provisional squad to prosecute the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde.
Rohr further revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation led by Amaju Pinnick had sanctioned the decision to invite Ighalo to the Super Eagles despite the player insisting that he was finished with the National Team after calling it quits in 2018.
The Franco-German tactician said that the decision to invite Ighalo was based on his experience, goal scoring ability and leadership qualities which were needed to help the team navigate the qualifiers.
He said the former Watford striker was the highest goal scorer at the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations as well as during the qualifiers asserting that the young strikers would benefit from Ighalo’s experience.
Rohr added that Ighalo’s inclusion would spur top striker, Victor Osimhen, to greater heights as the Napoli goal sensation remained the Super Eagles number one choice in attack.
Meanwhile, the Al-Shabab striker, Ighalo has confirmed that Rohr and Pinnick have contacted him over a potential return to the national team, but he is yet to respond to their request.
“They have been in contact with me about the possibility of coming back, Amaju and coach.
“I don’t know. I have not said yes or no. And I haven’t made any decision concerning the national team,” Ighalo said.
Before his retirement, Ighalo made 35 appearances for the Super Eagles, scoring 16 goals.
