Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo has won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Golden Boot, having scored five goals for Nigeria in the tournament.
Ighalo’s heroics helped the Super Eagles finish third in Egypt. He started with one goal in the group stage, which was against Burundi and followed it up with a brace against Cameroon, before scoring one each against Algeria and Tunisia.
With this feat, Ighalo becomes the sixth Nigeria after Segun Odegbami, Rasheed Yekini, Julius Aghaowa, Jay-Jay Okocha and Emmanuel Emenike to win this prize.
Meanwhile, the 30 year-old striker has announced his retirement from the national team. While announcing his retirement on social media, Ighalo said it has been wonderful playing for his country and thanked everyone who has contributed to his career. He added that it is time to allow younger players prove their skills.
Ighalo’s retirement follows that of Mikel Obil who had announced his exit from the national team shortly after Nigeria won the third place in the just concluded AFCON in Egypt.
