Team success more important than individual accolades – Ighalo

Nigeria Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo said on Tuesday that team success is more important than personal accolades after scoring a brace against Cameroon.

Ighalo is level alongside Senegal star Sadio Mane at the top of the charts with three goals so far at ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

“If I don’t win golden boot but won the trophy I’d be very happy because we are here to do that,” Ighalo said ahead of Wednesday’s clash against South Africa in Cairo.

“I didn’t say I’m not interested but we are here as a team and want to try and win it as a team. I’m a striker I want to score goals but if they don’t come and we win the game I will be more satisfied.”

Ighalo came in for sharp criticism after the Super Eagles were knocked out in the group stage at last year’s World Cup, but coach Gernot Rohr was full of praise for the way he has responded.

“After the World Cup Ighalo was criticised much more than normal,” Rohr recounted. “We spoke together and I saw that he’s very strong mentally.

“Even if his family was a bit scared, he accepted the challenge to come back and play in Seychelles in the first game after the World Cup and give his answer on the pitch. He was the best goalscorer in the qualifiers and when you have someone so strong it’s really happy for the team and the coach.”