Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo has rubbished claims his decision to return to national team duties will force Victor Osimhen to drop the number nine jersey in his favour.
The 32-year-old, who recently returned for the Super Eagles in the game against Cape Verde after rescinding his earlier decision to retire, said he does not care which jersey he wears for Nigeria, insisting he can do it “with his bare skin.”
Ighalo’s decision to retire saw his number nine shirt handed to Osimhen, who has also been impressive for the Super Eagles in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying matches where they finished top of Group C to qualify for the play-offs.
But despite some suggestions the number nine jersey should be returned to him, Ighalo turned down the offer and said as quoted by ESPN:
“A top NFF official told me I could have the number nine jersey back and I told him no. 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 scores the goals.”
Ighalo has further refused to be compared to Osimhen, insisting the latter was and will remain the top striker in the country.
“People say I’m coming to take the position but no, I’m not going to do that,” Ighalo, who retired playing for Nigeria in 2019, continued.
“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.”
