NIGERIAN INTERNATIONAL ODION JUDE IGHALO TALKS OF HIS HARDWAY TO FOOTBALL SUCCESS IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE

NIGERIAN INTERNATIONAL ODION JUDE IGHALO

Nigerian international Odion Jude Ighalo has been speaking of his joy at being invited to play for his country’s Super Eagles. He recalls his desire to play for the team which eventually came to pass. He expressed his readiness to give his best to the team just as he is always available for call up.

Ighalo said his football journey had not always been easy but attributes his success to God, recalling his rise to fame from the streets whereas many others never made any progress. He said he remained grateful for the success he had achieved.

He also spoke of the contribution of the football agents to the development of his career. Agents like Atta Aneke and Marcelo Houseman who worked together at first but lately it’s been Atta who not only brought him a deal in Norway but is also his agent presently working with links in England and Italy.

He said his football career in Norway was quite an experience, having to leave Nigeria to play in a temperate region but he tried his best to cope and adapt and eventually settled in and made a success of it before moving to Italy.

Ighalo also spoke fondly of his stay in Italy where he played for Udinese in 2008, going on loan to Granada where he helped the team to gain promotion from the third to the second division before finally gaining promotion to the La Liga. He thereafter moved to England on loan from Udinese before finally signing a permanent contract with Watford.

He recalls with nostalgia his match with Watford against Blackpool, how he helped to bring his team back into contention from a two goal deficit in the first half by scoring four goals in their second half seven goal victory.

The player speaks with great joy his first call up for the Super Eagles, noting that it was a privilege for him to be among those picked from over 170million Nigerians for the team, adding that he would give his best to justify the call up.

Ighalo ends up by speaking of his birth in the ghetto, Ajegunle! How taking up football was not easy as he had to provide for himself not only training kits, transportation to and from training ground and why he would forever remain grateful to his mother, who stood by him throughout.

He recalls how his mum with the money she made from her small shop where she sold sachet water and soft drinks was able to provide him with shoes to play, give him transport fare to go play with my team or play friendly games. He says she also gave money to pay for drinking water after training among other things she did for him.

He says it’s been great for him and he remains thankful to God for what he is today.