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Tag: Ighalo

  • Watford’s latest Nigerian striker reveals Ighalo influence

    Watford’s latest Nigerian striker reveals Ighalo influence

    Striker Dapo Mebude has revealed Odion Ighalo influenced his decision to sign for Watford, after the youngster left Rangers for the Hornets earlier this week.

    In an interview with the club, the teenager referred to the 32-year-old as one of the players who attracted him to the club.

    Ighalo played for Watford from 2014-2017, making 82 appearances, scoring 33 goals in the process, and latterly featured back in the Premier League for Manchester United.

    On July 10, the 19-year-old Mebude, who is of a Nigerian descent, joined the Hornets, from Rangers, on a two-year contract, with a further two-year option. He is still eligible to play for the West African nation, despite featuring for Scotland at youth level.

    “[Watford are] a massive club, I have watched them in the Premier League for a few years,” Mebude told the club’s official portal. “I have been a fan of the Premier League and watched players like Troy Deeney, and Odion Ighalo who is a countryman of mine, so there are a lot of things that attracted me.

    “I like to take bits from different players’ games. Obviously, I want to be myself but I take parts from Raheem Sterling, Ronaldo [the original]… but I want to be myself and hopefully one day, people can look up to me and say they want to be like me.”

  • Ighalo confirms Tottenham move before Man Utd

    Ighalo confirms Tottenham move before Man Utd

    Odion Ighalo admits he came close to joining Tottenham before moving to Manchester United.

    The Nigerian spent a year on loan at United from Shanghai Shenhua, scoring five goals in 23 appearances, before leaving for Saudi side Al Shabab in January.

    Ighalo fulfilled a lifelong dream playing for the Red Devils, which initially motivated him to reject Spurs.

    In an interview with Sky Sports, Ighalo said: “That was close – my agent called me and told me they had offered to match whatever I was earning but once I heard Manchester United were interested, there was no turning back.

    “I couldn’t think about anything else other than making the Manchester United deal work. I was going to have to take a pay cut but I didn’t care, I just wanted the deal to happen.

    “I just wanted to play for Manchester United. It’s my dream club and it was always going to be a privilege for me to play at Old Trafford.

    “I’m just so grateful to God that it happened. Every day I wake up and I know that I am an ex-Manchester United player. It is something that I will never take for granted.”

  • Ighalo sent to prison for internet fraud

    Ighalo sent to prison for internet fraud

    Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced Destiny Ighalo and 10 others for internet fraud.

    They were sentenced to various prison terms, for fraud.

    The convicts were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for offences bordering on impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.

    Those convicted are Anhwo Samson, Harry Omo-egbekun Hamilton, Odiase Martins, Okuson Godspower, Destiny Ighalo, Andrew Onoyoa, Omebu Happy, Enofe Michael, Adelakun Abdulkareem, Akpowowo Favour and Imaah Joseph.

    They all pleaded guilty to one count charge each preferred against them by the Commission.

    In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Ahmed Arogha prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.

    However, John Okhuihievbe and O.A. Egharevba, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first time offenders who had become remorseful.

    Justice Mohammed convicted and sentenced all the defendants to various terms of imprisonment.

    Samson bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000. He is also to forfeit N3,684,439.18 to the federal government.

    Ighalo got two years imprisonment or a fine 500,000. Ighalo is to forfeit a Luxus SUV 330 model, laptops and phones to the federal government.

    Andrew Onoyoa was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment or a fine of N1 million. He is also to forfeit Luxus 230 SUV and a Toyota Camry car to the federal government.

    The others defendants Godspower, Happy, Enofe, Joseph, Favour, Abdulkareem and Martin were sentenced to two years imprisonment each with an option of fine of N200,000 each. Hamilton bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000.

    All the convicts are to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour forthwith.

    The charge against Samson reads: “that you Anhwo Samson (aka Anhwo Samcity), Adelakun Abdulkareem (aka Terry Walker), Omebu Happy (aka Christ David), Imaah Joseph (aka Pietro Jones) Enofe Michael (aka Charlotte Crypto B.T.C Dan Trader) and Akpowowo Favour Omanufogho (aka Prof. Melisa Dan) on or about the 10 day of July 2020 at Efemena Close, Ozoro within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspired to defraud by sending electronic messages materially misrepresenting facts to white women with intent to defraud them and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 14(2) the same Act”.

  • Odion Ighalo scores first goal for new Saudi club

    Odion Ighalo scores first goal for new Saudi club

    Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo on Saturday scored his first goal for his new club, Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia.

    Al-Shabad, playing away from home defeated Al-Nassr 4-0 to stay top of the Saudi Arabia Professional league.

    The Nigerian came in as a substitute, replacing Fabio Martins in the 63rd minute of the encounter.

    Ighalo scored the fourth goal of the match for his new club on added time.

    Al-Shabab now has 38 points from 18 games to stay top of the league, which they have won six time.

    The visitor got their first goal through Banega from the penalty spot on 17 minutes while the second goal came through Guanca on 28 minutes, while the third goal was scored by Guanca again on 82 minutes.

    Ighalo later took to twitter to express his happiness, saying “1st of many.”

  • Super Eagles coach, Rohr hints on Ighalo’s return

    Super Eagles coach, Rohr hints on Ighalo’s return

    Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has said ex-Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo would be allowed to return to the national team if he impresses with his new side, Al Shabab FC.

    “There’s no reason not to take him if he is doing well. The question is if he wants to come back, Rohr said in an interview.

    “We hope so because he’s an experienced player. He can be very useful to his partners. We are waiting but firstly, he has to play.

    Ighalo, 31 ended his international career after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. He ended up as the competition’s top scorer with Nigeria coming third in the competition.

    Ighalo joined Saudi side Al Shabab recently, after from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua on a two-and-half-year deal.

    He also had a short one-year stint with Premier League giants Manchester United

  • Ighalo completes Al-Shabab move

    Ighalo completes Al-Shabab move

    Former Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo has completed a permanent move to Saudi Arabian Pro League club Al-Shabab.

    The 31-year-old left Chinese outfit Shanghai Shenhua after agreeing a two-and-a-half-year deal with the six-time Saudi champions.

    Ighalo had already taken to social media to bid his parent club goodbye, after Shenhua gave him permission to speak with the Saudi Arabian side.

    Al-Shabab are currently top of the Saudi Professional League, just past the halfway stage of the season. They are looking to win their first league title since 2011/12, with Ighalo a welcome capture.

    He will link up with Argentina international Ever Banega, who joined from Sevilla at the end of last season, as well as former Real Betis and Wolves midfielder Alfred N’Diaye.

    The former Watford and Granada striker scored five goals in 23 appearances after arriving at Old Trafford on deadline day in January 2020, but made just four appearances for the Red Devils this season.

    Despite enjoying praises from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during his first loan spell, his quest for more opportunities diminished following the arrival of Edinson Cavani in October.

    A former U-20 player, Ighalo scored 16 goals in 35 appearances for Nigeria before calling time on his international career in July 2019.

    He produced seven goals to finish top scorer in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series and his five goals and one assist helped him claim the Golden Boot and fired Nigeria to a third-place finish at the tournament proper in Egypt.

  • Ighalo agrees deal with new club, Al-Shabab

    Ighalo agrees deal with new club, Al-Shabab

    Former Manchester United striker, Odion Ighalo, has agreed to a permanent deal with Saudi Arabian side, Al-Shabab, Sky Sports reports.

    Ighalo’s move to Al-Shabab is subject to passing medical and agreeing personal terms.

    His loan spell at Manchester United from Shanghai Shenhua came to an end on January 31, 2021.

    The Nigerian forward was due to return to his parent club Shanghai Shenhua, but they have given him permission to speak to Al-Shabab.

    The transfer window in Saudi Arabia will be closed on February 7, 2021.

    Ighalo netted five goals in 23 appearances in all competitions for Man United during his loan spells at Old Trafford.

    The ex-super eagle star confirmed his departure from Man United in an emotional farewell message last week Tuesday.

  • Ighalo exits Man United, pens emotional note to fans

    Ighalo exits Man United, pens emotional note to fans

    Ex-Super Eagle star, Odion Ighalo has said his farewell to his current side Manchester United.

    The striker is prime to call it quit at the Old Trafford as his contract expires with the club at the end of the month. He posted an emotional message on his Instagram and Twitter accounts.

    Ighalo described his exit as hard saying, however, he gives glory to God for fulfilling his long-life dream of playing for Manchester United.

    The former Watford man thanked Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the faith he had in him and said he would miss all his teammates.

    “It’s so hard to see this dream come to an end. But I give God the glory for helping me fulfill this life long dream of putting on a Manchester United shirt as a player and represent this great club, it was indeed an honor I will forever cherish and be grateful for.

    To the Manager I say thank you for trusting and believing in me when many did not, to my amazing teammates I will miss you guys, it was always fun and a time I look forward to training and spending time with all of you. And I pray we win the LEAGUE and FA cup this year.

    The 31-year-old joined Manchester United on loan from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua on a six-month contract which was eventually extended by another six-months.

    In his 12-months stay at United, Ighalo scored five goals in 18 appearances during the 2019-20 campaign as he proved a useful back-up option for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

    Ighalo’s place in the United squad became threatened after the club signed former PSG striker Edison Cavani as backup for Marcus Rashford and Anthony martial.

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  • Mercy Johnson, Ighalo, Cossy Ojiakor, others celebrate Christmas[Pictures]

    Mercy Johnson, Ighalo, Cossy Ojiakor, others celebrate Christmas[Pictures]

    Mercy Johnson, Tacha, Odion Ighalo, Deyemi Okanlawon and others have joined several Christians across the globe to commemorate this year’s Christmas.

    A myriad of Nigerian celebrities have taken to social media to share lovely photos of themselves and their families marking the occasion.

    Ighalo, a former Super Eagles star, also shared a photo of himself dressed in a customised dress while standing beside a decorated Christmas tree.

    In the same vein, Mercy Johnson and her hubby, Odianosen Okojie, as well as their four kids dazzled in traditional attires in an Instagram post.

     

    “Merry Christmas from the Okojies to you and yours! May all the joy, unity and love this season brings be yours today and always!” the movie star wrote.

    Controversial actress, Cossy Ojiakor celebrated the occasion by posting an erotic video which accentuates her boobs.

    Williams Uchemba, an actor, who also celebrated the occasion with Brunella Oscar, his wife, wrote: “A very Merry Christmas from the Uchembah’s”

    On her part, Waje, a singer, wrote: “to you sweetie’m, for riding with me. Merry merry Christmas. Thank you for your love.”

     

  • Solskjaer preparing to lose Ighalo, Lingard

    Solskjaer preparing to lose Ighalo, Lingard

    Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is preparing to lose Jesse Lingard and Odion Ighalo next month.

    The Daily Star reports Solskjaer was hoping to continue his search for a new centre-back and right-sided attacker.

    Yet the report adds that Solskjaer could now target cover elsewhere with at least two stars set to leave next month.

    Lingard is once again being tipped for the Old Trafford exit door having been linked with a move to Spurs in the summer.

    And Ighalo’s stint back in the Premier League is set to end on January 31 ahead of his return to parent club Shanghai Shenhua in China.