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‘I told them to give me any jersey available’-Super Eagles returnee claims he was offered Osimhen’s shirt
https://soccernet.ng/2021/11/i-told-the ... shirt.html
Kelvin Omachonu by Kelvin Omachonu 10 hours ago in AFCON, News, Nigeria 0

The Napoli striker (VICTOR OSIMHEN) is Nigeria’s number nine, but he could have had the number taken away from him during this month’s international break

Super Eagles and Al-Shabab Striker Odion Ighalo has revealed that he was offered Victor Osimhen’s number nine jersey by top NFF officials prior to his return to international duty for Nigeria.

The 32-year-old forward decided to call time on his international career in July 2019, but an impressive goal-scoring spree at his Saudi Arabian side revived interests from the NFF and Super Eagles gaffer Gernot Rohr.

Despite the availability of attacking talents of Nigerian origin scattered across Europe, the former Manchester United striker was still invited to the Super Eagles camp for the world cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde to the detriment of Union Berlin star Taiwo Awoniyi.

Before his initial retirement, Ighalo don the number nine jersey, which is now worn by Osimhen. However, on his return to the team, he was offered his former number, which he duly rejected.

“A top NFF official told me I could have the number nine jersey back, and I told him no,” Ighalo told ESPN.

“I had left it. Osimhen is using it now and coming back, I’m going to play with any jersey number.”

“I told them to give me any jersey available. I can play with my bare skin for Nigeria, I’m a patriotic Nigerian. If it means me playing without a shirt in this team, I’m going to play. It’s not the shirt that score the goals.”

Ighalo also expressed his belief in Napoli star Osimhen, stating that he is the number one striker and will not take Osimhen’s place.

“Before I left the national team, I personally called Osimhen and said I’m leaving, this position is for you and if you work hard you’re going to rule Nigeria for a long time.”

I’m happy to see him doing well and I’m here to support him.”

“And before I came back, I told the coach’ Osimhen is the number one striker, I will just support in whatever way you want me to support and I’m here to do that,” he added.

With the likely absence of Osimhen for the 2021 AFCON, which starts on January 9, Ighalo could become Nigeria’s top hitman again.

However, it is left to be seen if a Gernot Rohr remains manager of the Super Eagles or if a new manager would prefer a younger player in Europe.

mcal wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 6:38 am ...may be if he had the number 9 shirt he could have scored and we could have won, with tons of goals.
This is what psychology does to people

mcal wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 6:38 am ...may be if he had the number 9 shirt he could have scored and we could have won, with tons of goals.
This is what psychology does to people

jette1 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 08, 2021 4:07 am Is ighalo this daft; why even open mouth about this. This could trigger a subliminal esteem issues

1naija wrote: ↑Wed Dec 08, 2021 4:28 am JJ! Is the NFF that assigns Jerseys to players?

Enugu II wrote: ↑Wed Dec 08, 2021 8:40 pm

1naija wrote: ↑Wed Dec 08, 2021 4:28 am JJ! Is the NFF that assigns Jerseys to players?

1naija,

It does not work that way. If you keep track of this, players actually have a jersey # that they claim and with the SE it is based on seniority and has always been. However, in this case, Ighalo retired and Osimhen had since claimed the jersey. I would have been shocked if Ighalo came back to claim the #9. Just a note, Vic Moses had claim to #11 before he retired but that number has since been claimed by Henry Onyekuru. However, because Onyekuru is not invited regularly Vic Moses can reclaim the number when Onyekuru is not in camp and that will mean that Onyekuru would have to seek another number if he returns after Vic Mo has already reclaimed it. There is a method to what seems to be disorganized.

deanotito wrote: ↑Wed Dec 08, 2021 4:14 pm

jette1 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 08, 2021 4:07 am Is ighalo this daft; why even open mouth about this. This could trigger a subliminal esteem issues

I agree. Somethings better left unsaid.

But stupid of the NFF to even offer the jersey to him. Ighalo was not that big of a star to take Osimhen’s jersey away, and Osimhen was already on Rasheed Yekini-like trajectory.

Who thought up such a harebrained idea???

1naija wrote: ↑Wed Dec 08, 2021 4:28 am JJ! Is the NFF that assigns Jerseys to players?