Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has said striker Odion Ighalo, 32, has regained his motivation to play for the country after he quit international football two years ago.
Ighalo Thursday joined the rest of the Super Eagles squad in Tangeir, Morocco, for tomorrow’s crucial 2022 World Cup qualifier against Liberia.
His Eagles comeback has been greeted by criticisms at a time younger Nigeria strikers like Terem Moffi, Sadiq Umar, Cyriel Dessers and Taiwo Awoniyi are also scoring goals across Europe.
However, Rohr has again stoutly defended the decision to recall the leading scorer in the Saudi Arabian league.
“Ighalo wanted to retire (from international football) after the 2019 AFCON,” the coach said.
“He changed his club and he also wanted to spend time with his family, but now the motivation is there for him to come back to help us.
“He’s experienced, we have a very young team. Ighalo’s goalscoring qualities, his experience and professionalism can help the young players especially in the attack to be more efficient, and we are all happy about this.”
Ighalo was top scorer at the 2019 AFCON with five goals.
