Ighalo @ 31: Fulfilling Childhood Dreams

By Ekene Dike

The 2020 January transfer window was taken by storm when Manchester United announced the signing of Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo on loan from Shanghai Shenhua.

For Ighalo, it was the realization of a childhood dream. He had had dreams of playing for Manchester United as a kid while he grew up in the harsh streets of Ajegunle in Lagos, Nigeria and his dreams finally came true in the eleventh hour of his football career.

It was for the Nigeria international, better late than never”.

However, he is one of the most recognised players  to have ever graced the game for Nigeria.

Despite age not being on his side at the moment, the striker has proved he can still deliver after registering 4 goals in 8 appearances across all competitions which further earned him a contract extension for his loan at Manchester United until January, 2021.

After playing for several European clubs, Ighalo moved to Championship side Watford in 2014 where he played an integral part in the club’s promotion to the Premier League in the 2014/15 season.

Progressively, he had an exquisite season in his first Premier League season after amassing 14 goals. After that blistering performance, the striker attracted some of the big guns who craved for his signature.

Nonetheless , Ighalo moved to China’s Super league side Shengai Shenhua in 2017.

He represented Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World cup where he was not able to register a goal but put in a decent performance as Nigeria disappointingly bowed out in the group stage.

In 2019, he helped Nigeria secure a place in the Africa Cup of Nations and represented the country in the competition where he led them to a third place finish and earned himself a place in the competition’s Team of the tournament and was crowned as the top-scorer

Following the tournament, he announced his retirement from international soccer after a total of 16 goals in 35 appearances. He is one who will never be forgotten in the history of Nigerian football.

Besides his goal-scoring ability, Ighalo at 31 on June 16, 2020 will be remembered for his exemplary conduct.

Honours : 

Watford :

Football League Championship runner-up: 2014–15

Shanghai Shenhua

Chinese FA Cup: 2019

Nigeria :

Africa Cup of Nations third place: 2019

Individual :

Premier League Player of the Month: December 2015

African Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 2019

African  Cup of Nations Golden Boot: 2019

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