Odion Ighalo endured a torrid tournament in Russia in June as the Super Eagles crashed out in the group stage of the competition – failing to find the back of the net despite being served chances – especially in the 2-1 loss to Argentina in their last group match.
The performance earned him criticisms from fans back home, with many taking to the social media to vent their anger on the 29-year-old.
However, the Chanchung Yatai striker has once again found his way to the hearts of the team’s fans after scoring five goals in the doubleheader 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Libya in Uyo and Sfax.
The former Watford striker in a video interview with KweseESPN said the period after the World Cup was tough for him and considered quitting the team.
He said, “I know the fans want me to score goals. I understand them. But some of them took it to another level. They said a lot of things. To my innocent kids, to my wife, even to the extent that they threatened my life and the life of my family.
“I felt very bad.
I had to talk to my wife because she could not take it – some words they said about my kids, about me and some words they said to her, the threats and all. That is beyond football. “You know women and how they react when you talk about their children. But I never said a word to anybody and I never replied anyone. My wife said ‘you don’t have to go there (to Nigeria) any more’. And I knew it was because of all what they said to her and to our family.”
