Following reports hinting at the possible return of Odion Ighalo to the senior national team, former England international John Fashanu has rather urged the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr to stick with the current players in his squad.
Ighalo, 31, called it off on international duties after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where he won the golden boot as the top scorer of the competition.
While harping on the effect Igaho’s recall could have on the younger players, Fashanu stated that the former Watford star has nothing to show except for experience.
“The only thing Ighalo has to offer to the national team is his experience, it is not his ability because there are players who are far better than him and we know that.
“If Rohr wants to bring him in because he stabilises the squad, it is fine. I remember when I was in my 30s and the manager kept bringing me back, it wasn’t because I was a great player but I gave the team confidence. And that might also be the reason why Rohr wants to bring him back but other than that his time is gone.
“Ighalo is in his 30s and in Nigeria we have fantastic prospects that are fighting to get that spot but not all of them can make the squad.
“If you keep playing the older players it is at the detriment of the younger players. It is high time we start seeing 17, 18-year-old geniuses in the national team. “Where there is no talent the coach may consider bringing him back but there are so many talents and it would be very wrong to bring him back at this stage.”
