Eagles ‘ll Miss Mikel, Ighalo – Ahmed Musa
Nigeria’s stand-in captain, Ahmed Musa says Skipper John Obi Mikel and Striker Odion Ighalo will be ‘greatly missed’ following their decision to officially quit playing for the Super Eagles.
In announcing their retirement from international duty, the Trabzonspor of Turkey and Shanghai Shenhua of China players said they are making way for the younger generation of players to grow and display their skills on the international football stage.
Musa, who currently plies his soccer trade for Saudi Arabian team, Al-Nassr, took to the social media to wish his former teammates the best in their future endeavours.
According to him, “As hard as it is to accept that you guys have retired from the National Team, it’s been nothing but a privilege and a great honour to play with you guys.”
The Nigerian forward further posted on Instagram that; “Here’s wishing you nothing but the absolute best in your future pursuits. You will be greatly missed in the team John Obi Mikel and Odion Ighalo.”
Mikel, who made 88 appearances for the National side, announced his retirement on Thursday in Cairo, Egypt, shortly after the Super Eagles defeated Carthage Eagles of Tunisia 1-0 to win the bronze medal.
The 32-year-old former Chelsea of England midfielder featured in two matches for the Super Eagled at the just concluded 2019 African Nations Cup tournament as the Gernot Rohr’s men finished third in the continental soccer fiesta.
On his part, Ighalo, who won the competition’s Golden Boot award with five goals, was a regular face in Rohr’s line up all through the championship.
The former Watford of England player is the seventh all-time highest Super Eagles goalscorer in history, having scored 16 goals in 35 appearances for the three-time African champions.
