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Tag: Ighalo

  • Ighalo tips Arsenal, Chelsea for EPL title

    Ighalo tips Arsenal, Chelsea for EPL title

    Super Eagles’ striker Odion Jude Ighalo has tipped traditional clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, the two Manchester Clubs and Liverpool as those clubs to slug it out for the English Premier League title this season.

    Ighalo has however noted that his immediate task is to ensure that Watford FC make an impact on their return to the EPL this season after some seasons in the lower league.

    The Nigeria international scored 20 goals last season in the Championship to assist Watford to gain the promotion ticket. The striker in a chat with SportingLife said that he is more than ready to rumble in his first season in the EPL.

    Ighalo revealed that Arsenal, who were crowned the 2015 Community Shield Champions, Manchester City and Manchester United along with Chelsea and Liverpool will all fight till the end of the season to determine the eventual title holder.

    The former Granada and Udinese forward however hinted that he won’t be pre-occupied with the performances of the big clubs and that his main concern is to ensure that Watford compete right from the blast of the season against Everton till the end of the campaign.

    “I know this league season will still be difficult just like the previous seasons because of the number of new players that have been signed by the traditional top clubs in England.

    “I expect Arsenal, the two Manchester clubs, Chelsea, Liverpool and few others to struggle for the league title while clubs like Watford and others will try to compete with them.

    “We want to make the best use of our stay in the EPL this season after some seasons off. We will go full blast from the first game against Everton till the end of the season,” Ighalo told SportingLife.

    The form of the former U23 skipper is also a pointer for Watford to expect an impressive season with six goals from six pre-season friendly matches before the club had their only loss at home to Sevilla on Friday in their last friendly game before the season kicks off on August 8.

    Chelsea are the defending champions of the EPL

  • Ighalo wants Nigerians to be patient with Oliseh

    Ighalo wants Nigerians to be patient with Oliseh

    Odion Jude Ighalo has called on Nigerians to be patient with the new Super Eagles boss, Sunday Oliseh if they want the senior national team to regain her place of pride within the shortest possible time.

    Oliseh was recently unveiled as the new head coach of the Eagles after the former helmsman, Stephen Keshi was sacked for breach of contract.

    Ighalo who has been in blistering form for Watford during the pre-season so far with six goals from five friendly matches told SportingLife that Oliseh would only succeed if Nigerians back him up and are also patient with him.

    “I want to congratulate Oliseh on his appointment as Eagles’ coach and I am looking forward to speaking with him anytime we meet. I believe that Oliseh will be able to continue from where Keshi stopped if only Nigerians are patient with him,” Ighalo told SportingLife . The Watford striker also spoke about his pre season form reiterating that the objective of the newly promoted club is to do well in the English Premier League next season. Ighalo thumbed up his team mates in Watford for their victory over Dundee United of Scotland in their fifth pre-season game of the season.

  • Watford 4-1 SC Verl:Ighalo scores brace again

    Watford 4-1 SC Verl:Ighalo scores brace again

    Nigeria international striker Odion Ighalo looks set to take the English Premier League by storm in the coming season after he scored twice on Wednesday for Watford 4-1 win in a pre-season game against SC Verl in Germany.

    The former Flying Eagles captain has scored five goals in three pre-season games so far to show he means business going into the new EPL season.

    Last season, Ighalo netted 20 goals to get Watford back to the English top flight after many, many years in the lower leagues.

    The former Granada forward gave his side the lead in the 16th minute, he then doubled the lead in the 40th minute.

    Nigerian-born Scotland international winger Ikechi Anya made it 3-0 for Watford.

  • Ighalo undergoes special training

    Ighalo undergoes special training

    Odion Ighalo is not leaving anything to chance to shine for Nigeria in an AFCON 2017 qualifier against Chad as he is undergoing special personal training ahead of the game.

    Ighalo, who recently made his full international debut for Nigeria, has tried to maintain his fitness level after the English Championship season in England ended by undergoing training at FC Manchester ground under the guidance of Nigerian-born FC Manchester coach, Chuks Akuneto.

    The Nigerian coach has been working on Ighalo’s speed and fitness to keep him in shape for the task ahead in the Eagles.

     

    Former Flying Eagles skipper Ighalo scored 20 goals in 35 games for Watford in the just-ended season and has made won two caps for the Eagles.

  • Ighalo predicts tough game against Omeruo’s ‘Boro

    Ighalo predicts tough game against Omeruo’s ‘Boro

    Nigeria international Odion Ighalo has told AfricanFootball.com victory for Watford against Kenneth Omeruo’s Middlesbrough on Monday will put them in a great position to be promoted to the EPL automatically.

    The former Udinese of Italy forward said it is going to be a tough battle against Middlesbrough, who equally want to feature in the English top flight next season.

    “It is a top of the table clash and it will be a tough game, the game will decide our fate in getting automatic promotion,” Ighalo told AfricanFootball.com

    “We need to win the game against Middlesbrough to keep our automatic promotion dream alive. We are capable of doing it.”

    Middlesborugh lead the table with 75 points from 40 games, while Watford are fourth with 73 points and a win at home on Monday will take them to top of the table with 76 points.

    The former Flying Eagles captain has scored 18 goals in the English Championship this season.

  • West Brom, Hull chase Ighalo

    West Brom, Hull chase Ighalo

    Atta Aneke, the agent of Watford striker Odion Ighalo, has hinted that West Brom and Hull City are interested in the recently – capped Nigeria international, ahead of the reopening of the transfer window.

    The Norwegian – Nigerian agent also revealed that a plethora of teams based outside the United Kingdom are exploring ways to sign Ighalo, whose priority is to remain in England and play in the top tier.

    ”Like I said before, there are many teams interested in Odion Ighalo, I can confirm that” Atta Aneke said to SL10.ng.

    ”We want to wait and see what happens to Watford at the end of this season, they are likely to be promoted.

    ”There are different English teams interested. There are teams from other countries interested, but we are concentrating in England.

    ”If the bid comes from a different country, we’ll consider it. The natural step for Odion is to play in the English Premier League.”

    This season, Odion Ighalo has put himself in the shop window, with 17 goals for The Hornets in the Championship.

    The center forward is tied to Watford until June 30, 2017.

  • Ighalo: Watford will fight their way back to EPL

    Ighalo: Watford will fight their way back to EPL


    Your career has been on the  high since you move to Watford, what’s the secret?

    IGHALO: Well, not when I joined Watford but right from my time in Spain with Granada. It was only last season that was bad because I had an injury that kept me out for four months. Here in England, I think I am getting used to the league and it suits me. It was not easy in the beginning but hard work is paying off.

     

    Watford missed promotion last season, are you sure the team will make it this season?

    Yes, we can, we have good quality players and management.  But we still need to work hard because there are good teams in the league who want promotion tickets too.

     

    You have scored 17 goals already, any number of goals you wish to score?

    If I can reach the 20-goal mark, I will be happy but I don’t have a target. I don’t want to put myself under unnecessary pressure. I will just keep working hard.

     

    What can you say about Italian, Spanish and English leagues?

    The league in Spain is all about skills and ball possession. In Italy, it is physical and more tactical. Here in the English Championship, it is physical and tough, the tempo here in England is high, you must be fit and ready to run from the beginning of the game till the end.

     

    What are your set goals for the season?

    Promotion to the premier league is my priority, any other thing that follow is a bonus.

     

    Did you have your parents’ backing when started playing the game?

    My dad was not happy with me playing football from the beginning because he wanted me to go to school and be a graduate like some of my brothers and sisters. In fact he would beat me up when I went out to play football, but he is now a proud father.

     

    What exactly did he want you to become?

    I would have become a lawyer today.

     

    You have played for Nigeria’s U-20 team, do you dream of appearing for the Super Eagles?

    Yes, of course. It is every footballer’s dream to play for the national team. So, I am patiently waiting for my time to get into the Super Eagles.

     

    Who is the biggest football personality you have met?

    That has to be Samuel Eto’o.  It was three years ago while I was with Udinese. We played against his team, at that time Anzhi, in a Europa League game. He is a legend and a very humble man. In fact, he gave me his jersey.

     

    What did he tell you?

    He advised me to be humble and keep working hard.

     

    What has becoming a family man done to you and your career?

    It changed everything about me, I know some people depend on me and I don’t think about myself only before I do anything but think about my family in making decisions.

     

    Which is your toughest game for Watford so far?

    That was the recent game against Blackburn Rovers. They were too physical.

     

    What do you do at your leisure time?

    I watch sport channels and Nigerian movies. Other times I sleep.

     

    Who are your favourite actors?

    Mr. Ibu, Nkem Owoh and Charles Inoje

  • Ighalo better than Messi, Ronaldo

    Ighalo better than Messi, Ronaldo

    Statistically, Odion Ighalo is better than Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and Real Madrid icon Ronaldo in 2015.

    The Watford striker has notched 13 league goals since the start of this year, more than any other footballer playing in England and the top divisions in Germany, Italy and Spain.

    Messi and Ronaldo have netted 13 La Liga goals between them this year, the same number Odion Ighalo has scored for The Hornets.

    According to Watford Observer, the former Nigeria youth international has averaged a goal in every 77 minutes.

    The 25 – year – old is the second leading marksman in the Championship with 17 goals.

  • Ighalo bags four in rout

    Ighalo bags four in rout

    Nigerian International Odion Ighalo was the cynosure of all eyes at the weekend for his Championship side Watford as he grabbed four goals in the 7-2 whitewash of Blackpool.

    Ighalo and teammates endured a poor start to the game after they fell two goals behind to the visitors but rallied to pull out a remarkable victory.

    The Nigerian thought he had scored on the stroke of half-time but saw his 25-yard shot superbly saved by Elliot Parish in goal for Blackpool but it all changed at the start of the second half as Watford treated fans at the Vicarage Road to a goalscoring spree.

    In-form Ighalo reduced the deficit when he latched on to Miguel Layun’s cross to finish expertly – six minutes later Troy Deeney equalized for Watford and the home crowd were sent into frenzy when Ighalo grabbed a brace with well drilled effort.

    It all went from bad to worse for the visitors as Watford scored four more goals with Ighalo grabbing two more with great aplomb and make a bold claim for International recognition from the Super Eagles handlers.

    The 25-year-old has now scored six goals in two games after his brace last week against Charlton Athletic.

     

  • Ighalo talks up EPL action

    Ighalo talks up EPL action

    Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo said the target is EPL action next season after he grabbed his third for Watford in 2-2 draw at home to Nottingham Forest in an English Championship clash.

    Watford are now second on the table with 25 points from 13 games, a point behind leaders Derby County.

    He told AfricanFootball.com that premier league promotion remains the target but will take it game after game.

    “Promotion is still our target, but it is too early to talk much about that. We just want to take it game by game, the league is difficult and very long,” Ighalo told AfricanFootball.com.

    The former Udinese forward was on target in the 29th minute to give his side a 2-1 lead. This was his second goal in four days and his third in the league this term. He was replaced with Ttoy Deeney in the 64th minute.