This archive report was first published on 8 July 2019.
July 8, 2019, will be remembered as a turning point in Odion Ighalo's career. The 30-year-old striker had just scored twice and set up another goal in Nigeria's 3-2 win over Cameroon, propelling the Super Eagles into the AFCON quarter-finals.
However, Ighalo's path to this moment was far from straightforward. He had endured loan spells, suffered relegation in China, and received death threats for failing to score at the World Cup.
Despite these challenges, Ighalo persevered, driven by his passion for the game and his desire to prove himself. His dedication earned him a spot as Nigeria's joint top scorer, alongside Senegal's Sadio Mane and Algeria's Adam Ounas.
Reflecting on his journey, Ighalo recalled the difficult times, including the death threats he received after Nigeria's group stage elimination at the World Cup.
