Changchun Yatai of China striker, Odion Jude Ighalo has surprisingly thanked insatiable Nigerian soccer fans for the pressure they put on him during his barren spell in front of goal with the Super Eagles, as he says their critical comments about his form helped him get better.
After firing home his first hat-trick with the Eagles, in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers 4-0 win against Libya, sports247.ng gathered that Ighalo is grateful to fans, analysts and stakeholders who frowned at his poor form with the Nigerian national team.
Ighalo recounted that the pressure got to a head when he failed to make hay against Argentina at the World Cup, as hew lost several begging chances that could have helped the Eagles get back into the second group match that they eventually lost 2-1.
However, in the aftermath of his heroics against Libya, Ighalo is standing tall once again, and stressed that he is not holding anything against the fans for haranguing him, as he says they helped him work on his game.
ighalo retorted philosophically: “I thank the fans who believed in me even after the World Cup, and those who didn’t believe in me.
“The fans love football, they are passionate about the Super Eagles and so sometimes you don’t blame them when they are angry.
“As a striker they wanted me to score goals at the World Cup, but unfortunately it was not so.
“Some of the fans took the criticisms to another level, which was bad, but I can understand them because I am a professional.
“So, whatever comes with that, you have to go with it. I still thank them because they were supporting the Super Eagles.”
