EXCLUSIVE: Sad Ighalo Shuns Training For Three Days Over AFCON Miss
Ighalo is sad over AFCON 2021 miss and has been missing in the Al-Shabab training ground for the past three days.
By David Meshioye
Returnee Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo has turned his back on club training after he was blocked by his Saudi Arabia outfit, Al-Shabab FC from representing Nigeria in the upcoming African Cup of Nations billed for Cameroon, 234sportsng.com can exclusively report
Miffed by the twists and turns that characterized his participation in the African soccer fiesta after being recalled by former Super Eagles gaffer, Gernot Rohr, the former Watford striker has embarked on a training strike at the club by refusing to join teammates in training for three days now.
In an exclusive telephone chat with 234sportsng.com on Thursday night, Ighalo's close ally confirmed that the former Manchester United star is furious and has refused to train at the club.
According to him, Ighalo was disappointed that Al-Shabab capitalized on NFF errors to block his trip to Cameroon when his happiness should have been considered.
" It is so sad that Ighalo won't be going to AFCON. The club maintained that his invitation came in very late. You can't blame the club because we won't be having this problem had NFF sent his invitation earlier.
" He is not happy as I talk to you, and he has refused to train for the last three days," Ighalo's close ally exclusively told 234sportsng.com.
With Ighalo AFCON's hope up in flames, there are possibilities that the former Changshun Yatai forward could be on his way out of Al-Shabab after he felt betrayed by the club chieftains.
Asked if the NFF is considering dragging Al Shabab to FIFA for standing in the way of the Nigerian striker, NFF's spokesperson, Ademola Olajire suggested it is not a route the Federation is keen on taking.
“Anytime you go that route, you are not helping the player. What we always consider is that there is always a next time… if there is an issue now, we look to resolve it before we take the next step, it is better we exhaust every other option available,” Mr Olajire said.
Nigeria's participation at the upcoming African Cup of Nations in Cameroon has been rocked by a series of withdrawals after Emmanuel Dennis was stopped by Watford from attending the African soccer fiesta while Victor Osimhen pulled out of the tourney on health grounds.
