Mikel Obi & Odion Ighalo Have Both Retired From International Football

On Wednesday night, the Super Eagles won the third-place playoff at the 2019 AFCON. Just as it was Nigeria‘s last match at the tournament, it turns out that outing also marked the start of international retirement for two of the biggest names on the team: Mikel Obi and Odion Ighalo.

(Photo: FIFA)

Since Nigeria’s exit from the 2018 World Cup, it has been clear that Obi has had little zeal to continue on the national team, so the announcement wasn’t a surprise. In a post he made to Instagram, he talked about how good it feels to start and end his international career in Egypt. 

On the other hand, Ighalo’s decision comes as a huge shock, as he’s been on fire lately — constantly dominating on the pitch. Well, we should’ve been expecting it, seeing as by the age of 30 most footballers start questioning if they’re really needed on the national team.

For Ighalo, it may have been more than this question, though, as Vanguard reports that he took the decision because “the constant abuse was taking a toll on his young family”. As for Mikel, he stated that he thinks it’s time for the “youth to take over”, and we couldn’t agree more. 

We wish both stars well as they focus on their club careers.