Odion Ighalo became the first Nigerian player of Manchester United when he signed with the English giants in January of last year.
Before his talents took him to Old Trafford club, Ighalo had spent some time in his youthful age developing his skills with Olodi Warriors Sports Academy in the early parts of the millennium.
Founder of Olodi Warriors, Tiamiu Taofeeq fondly remembers the joy he felt when he heard that his former protégé was about to sign for Man United.
He began with Ighalo’s first foray into English football with Watford where he joined in 2014.
“I was very happy the day I heard that he [Ighalo] signed for Watford,” Mr. Taofeek tells Sports247.
“I was very happy because I used to tell him right from when he was in Olodi Warriors that I am praying that he should go to England to go and play his football.
“So when I heard that he signed for Watford I was very happy. But I still told him that I want him to go and play for Manchester United because right from his childhood he has been a Manchester United supporter.
“So the day I heard that he is doing medical at Manchester United, in fact, my joy was overfilled that day.
“It’s a great joy for me. At least, in my lifetime I produced a player that played for Manchester United. It was a great joy for me.”
Ighalo left Man United after the expiration of his loan contract in January 2021. The 31-year-old currently plies his trade in the Saudi Pro League with Al Shabab.
