Changchun Yatai of China striker, Odion Jude Ighalo received a flood of accolades on Saturday, as he headed into Nigeria’s Russia 2018 World Cup opener against Croatia with lavish greetings on his 29th birthday.
As the Super Eagles’ top striker clocked 20, Nigerian soccer fans flooded social media in celebration of the former Lyn Oslo of Norway, Udinese of Italy, Granada of Spain and Watford of England star.
It was such a lively start to the day for ighalo, as he received widespread blessings of the Nigerian faithful, who were hoping that he would inspire the national team to victory with goals against Croatia in their Group D World Cup opening game.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) also added a befitting post of their own, as most of the fans’ entries showed that they would love to see Ighalo get a goal or two in Kaliningrad, Russia.
”Happy birthday to @NGSuperEagles forward@ighalojude. We wish you a great day full of goals and goodies. 
,” the NFF twitter account tweeted in celebration of the player’s new age, along with other good will messages like @Zubegtr2: ”Happy birthday ooo!!!. We want a birthday goal” @uzogbugh: ”2 goals from u baba, today. HBD”.
Also wishing him well were @VictorOdususi: ”Celebrate your birthday in style by scoring a brace today.” @dushiwhite: ”Happy Birthday and Age Gracefully !!! Remember a brace or even hat trick will be the best gift ever to Offer me”. @chrischukwu26: ”Happy Birthday. Celebrate with a goal against Croatia today.” @CoachUdofia: ”Happy birthday Big player. Go for Gold.” @draybaba23: ”Happy birthday sabi man, hope you got a birthday goal”.
More posts read thus – @chinagoromkalu: ”I wish you happy birthday and very many happy returns. May you excel with goals in the tournament and life.” @Yusuphladipo1: ”Birthday man…. can’t wait to see your name on the goal list.” @Cole_Gboyega: ”@ighalojude is a goal *4, Croatia picked a bad time to play@NGSuperEagles Happy birthday sire. You know what to do out there. ”.
Other messages for Ighalo read – @Mgbebu_Vera: ”Happy birthday, but oga celebrate it with a goal abeg”. @promJp: ”Happy birthday @Ighalojude wish u banks of goals IJN……….” @Adamsmuyiwa: ”It’ll be good you mark it with a Goal for Nigeria tonight.” @iam_paska: ”We want d cake on d field bro@ighalojude.”
