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Abroad: Nigeria’s Ighalo talks about life in China
"When I went there I was expecting a lower class of the league but when I arrived I saw how tough it is and said this is not what I had heard about.”
The Super Eagles and the Changchun Yatai striker has opened up about what it is like playing in the Chinese Super League. Odion Ighalo moved to Asia in 2017 from English side, Watford. He seems to have adapted to life in China, alluding that football is actually competitive in CSL than he initially thought or what most people would think because of the influx of foreign players and managers. Ighalo scored 15 goals in 27 appearances in his first season and now he has 1 in 3 matches.
"When I went there I was expecting a lower class of the league but when I arrived I saw how tough it is and said this is not what I had heard about.” - Odion Ighalo
The Super Eagles striker is also encouraging other African players to consider a move to the CSL should the opportunity beckon.
"If the opportunity jumps on them and they think properly about it, they should go because it's an opportunity to make some money, play in Asia and to experience the life and culture there." - Odion Ighalo