By Samuel Onyekwere
Super Eagles striker and Changchun Yatai of China striker, Odion Jude Ighalo, has hinted of his desire to return to the English Premier League anytime the opportunity comes. He has, however, denied the news that teams like Southampton, Everton and Stoke are on his trail as he said his agent is yet to formally tell him of any interest from the afore mentioned clubs.
The former Watford of England striker, whose family is still in England, believes the English Premiership is still the best.
Ighalo, who is billed to officially commission the orphanage home he built in Apapa, Lagos, come December 16, 2017, said touching and changing the fortunes of the orphans has been his lifelong dream. According to him, the door of the orphanage will opened to the first set of orphans from the 16th of December, and he intends to continue funding the home till other well meaning Nigerians rise to the occasion to support his course. The home will admit orphans from the age range of 0-18 years and will also be responsible for their education.
Ighalo, who grew up at 58 Salami Street, Olodi Apapa, has his mother to thank for his success in football as she backed him up, by buying football boots for him with proceeds from her ice water business. He had his first professional stint with the defunct Julius Berger of Lagos football club, before moving to Oslo Norway in August 2007. From there he moved to Udineze in Italy, and then Granada in Spain before joining Watford where he spent a year and half with the club in the English Premiership.
On why he left Watford, Odion revealed that the former coach Walter Matzzari wanted to frustrate him by not playing him regularly. The club in addition, turned down offers from other English clubs like West Brom and Crystal Palace to sign him.
Ighalo explained further that qualifying for the world cup is the dream of every professional player and his is happy to help the country qualify. He however advised the Coach to Geirnat Rohr to stop experimenting, rather he should focus more on helping the team jell.