AFCON 2021: Eguavoen reacts as Al Shabab blocks Odion Ighalo from playing for Nigeria

Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has said he remains confident that Odion Ighalo will join up with the rest of the squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ighalo’s club Al Shabab has refused to release him for the tournament.

This leaves the former Manchester United and Watford striker torn between club and country.

Ighalo is reported to be in Nigeria and has a deadline to confirm his availability.

“Hopefully Odion comes,” Eguavoen said at a media briefing today.

The veteran striker is widely expected to lead the Eagles attack in the absence of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

He was top scorer at the 2019 AFCON with five goals as Nigeria placed third in Egypt.