Super Eagles Odion
Ighalo and John Obi Mikel are retiring from international football.
Sources told ESPN that
Ighalo, whose goal helped Nigeria to beat Tunisia 1-0 in the 2019 Africa Cup of
Nations Bronze Final on Wednesday night, informed coach Gernot Rohr of his
decision before leaving to join his club in China immediately after the game.
“He had discussed his
decision with the coach before the third-place match, saying that the constant
abuse was taking a toll on his young family, but he was advised to keep it
under wraps for the moment,” the sources told ESPN.
“After the game, he
gave his jersey as a souvenir to the coach, said his goodbyes and left.”
Prior to the game, the
30-year-old posted a message on his WhatsApp status update that simply said
“Final Game”.
“He has been very
strong for us,” Rohr told ESPN.
“And it is sad that he
wants not to continue.
“But the door always is
open for him any time.”
Ighalo, something of a
late bloomer, made his senior debut for Nigeria in 2015 as the Super Eagles
lost 1-0 to Uganda in a friendly.
He made 35 appearances
for Nigeria, scoring 16 goals.
He was also top scorer
through the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with four goals, and he
could also finish the tournament as top scorer having scored four in Egypt.
Nigeria captain Mikel,
32, meanwhile, announced his international retirement on his Instagram page,
ending his senior international career in the same country where he made his
senior debut in the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.
“Egypt is a country
where I’ve started and have finished my National career,” Mikel posted on
Instagram.
“In 2006 I played my
first official championship for my Country. 2019 African Cup of Nations marks
my last championship for National Team with Super Eagles.
“My national career
started in 2003 under 17 World Cup and I’m grateful for the national team for
placing me on the world arena and giving me an opportunity to show my skill and
have an incredible National and International career.
“At the age of 32 it’s
time for me to retire from the National team and let the youth take over,
who’ve done an amazing job securing a bronze medal at AFCON 2019.
“Thank you to all my
Nigerian supporters and to my Country for all the trust, support and love
you’ve shown me over the past 15 years.
“Mikel am out!”
Nigeria also won bronze
at that 2006 tournament, with Mikel notching one goal and one assist.
Nigeria coach Gernot
Rohr praised the midfielder for his service, saying the midfielder had enjoyed
a “big career” with the Super Eagles.
“We have really to be
proud to have players like this in Nigeria,” Rohr told ESPN.
“He’s one of the
legends now.
“He did well again in
this Afcon.
“I invited to help the
team; he helped the team not only on the pitch but also outside. He accepted to
be on the bench, to be replaced.
“He’s an example for
all our young players, with his professionalism, his approach to the
competition, his serious attitude all the time.
“We will miss him.
“I’m happy that he
could part in this Afcon, to finish his wonderful career with a bronze medal.
“He gave all the best
for his country. He’s an example for all football players in Nigeria.”
Mikel made 88
appearances for Nigeria, scoring six goals and played at five Africa Cup of
Nations tournaments, two World Cups and one Olympic Games.
He was Nations Cup
champion in 2013, and won an Olympic bronze medal with Nigeria in 2016.
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