Nigerian striker, Odion Ighalo almost quit the national team following an underwhelming World Cup and death threats that followed.
The striker is in red-hot form scoring goals for fun and was in amazing form over the last 2 games against Libya.
This was in contrast to his World Cup form where he was unable to find the net and even missed a gilt-edged chance to score against Argentina
Following his dismal performances, the Changchun Yatai striker received death threats from fans over his poor performances
Ighalo spoke to ESPN where he said he almost quit and he understood where they were coming from.
“I know the fans want me to score goals. I understand them,”
“They said a lot of things. To my innocent kids, to my wife, even to the extent they threatened my life and the life of my family.
“I felt very bad [when they went after my family]. I had to talk to my wife because she could not take it. Some words they said about my kids, about me. Some words they said to her, threatening and all that. That is beyond football.
“You know women and how they react when you talk about their children. But I never said a word to nobody and I never replied anybody.”
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“My wife said ‘you don’t have to go there [to Nigeria] any more’ and it was because of all what they said to her and to our family.”
Ighalo has been racking up the goals in the Chinese Super League with 20 goals from 25 games and has credited Eagles coach Gernot Rohr with believing in him.
“I want to thank Rohr because after the World Cup and all those things happened, he called me before the Seychelles game [in September] and I told him I was contemplating stopping because it is not easy,” he continued.
“But the coach had belief in me. He said ‘I know you are a good goalscorer and I know you can do it. Come and show them that you can score.’
“If a coach believes in me, then I will come. I told him ‘coach, if I am in your plans hundred percent then I will honour the invitation any time you call me.’
“He said ‘yes, you, you are in my plans for the games’. Then he said ‘don’t be under pressure, just go do your thing, I know you can do it.’
“That gave me the confidence which I believed that I needed. I want to thank him for defending me, and giving me the words like a father, encouraging me, talking to me. He gave me more belief and I thank God for repaying him with these goals.”
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