Former Watford and Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo confirmed that talks are ongoing about a return to the Nigerian national team but says he is not rushing to come out of international retirement.
The 32-year-old quit the Super Eagles after finishing top scorer at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and previously resisted pressure from coach Gernot Rohr to reverse his decision.
However, the president of the Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnick and head coach Rohr have called on Ighalo to return to the Super Eagles for Nigeria’s upcoming 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
“Talks have been going on for a while now, and I respect the coach and the NFF president,” Ighalo, who plays for Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia, told BBC Sport Africa.
“But it’s still an ongoing talk and it’s not something I have to rush.”
Pinnick said he spoke with Ighalo about the need for a return and how his experience combined with the energetic youthful Victor Osimhen, Paul Onuachu and Kelechi Iheanacho, et al in attack would be beneficial for the Super Eagles.
Nigeria face Liberia and Cape Verde next month in their final two Group C matches in World Cup qualifying, with just the group winners progressing to the play-off round.