Super Eagles Forward Odion Ighalo said he considered international retirement after the world cup following attacks by fans on his “innocent kids” and death threats he received from Nigerian fans.
Ighalo fired blank at the World Cup in Russia in a crucial group match with Argentina, which made him a villain to many fans of the Super Eagles.
He was among a few players singled out and blamed for Nigeria’s ouster from the tournament, but the angst of the fans didn’t stop there, the player told Colin Udoh [KweseESPN]
Had a moving interview with @ighalojude last night after the game for @kwesesports. He talked about how he and his family received death threats, and abuse directed at his children. Happy for him but come on, threatening children because of football?? Sick! @NGSuperEagles @thenff
— Colin NOT Collins (@ColinUdoh) October 17, 2018
“I know the fans want me to score goals. I understand them. But some of them took it to another level,” he said.
“They said a lot of things. To my innocent kids, to my wife, even to the extent they threatened my life and the life of my family.
“I felt very bad (when they threatened my family). I had to talk to my wife because she could not take it.
“Some words they said about my kids, about me. Some words they said to her, threatening and all that. That is beyond football.
“My wife said ‘you don’t have to go there (to Nigeria) any more’ and it was because of all what they said to her and to our family,” Ighalo told KweseESPN.
