Odion Ighalo reportedly blames constant abuse for early Super Eagles retirement.

Super Eagles star Odion Ighalo has finally revealed that the constant abuse from Nigerians forced him to retire from international duties early. The 30-year-old striker followed the footsteps of his captain John Obi Mikel to quit national team football after helping the west African country win bronze at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tourney in Egypt The publication further stated that the striker, who was substituted at half time after picking up a hamstring injury left for China to rejoin his teammates. "After the game, [Ighalo] gave his jersey as a souvenir to the coach, said his goodbyes and left," a source said. Following Nigeria's early ouster from FIFA World Cup in Russia last year, Ighalo was seriously abused by football fans which degenerated to his family being threatened. Many blamed him for the defeat to Argentina in their final group game over a year ago, and his failure to find the back of the net against Madagascar re-opened the wounds. Read more: