Watford’s Odion Ighalo wants to play against Aston Villa as a tribute to his late father

Watford coach Quique Flores has revealed that Nigeria international Odion Ighalo has asked to play for Watford in this weekend’s fixture against Aston Villa as a mark of respect/tribute to his late dad.

Ighalo’s father, Paul Ighalo died in his sleep on Monday but Ighalo didn’t fly back to Nigeria despite the club offering to give him compassionate leave.

‘I asked Ighalo what the mood is for this week,’ He wanted to stay here training and at the end of the season he wants to go to Lagos to see his family’.said Flores to pressmen during the club’s pre-match press conference
‘His father passed away. He is sad but focused on the game.

‘I said do you want to train and do you want to be here? He said “yes I want to be here and I want to train. At the end of the season I want to go to Lagos but now I want to be here. He wants to dedicate the match for his father.’

Flores paid tribute to his 26 year old 16-goal top scorer saying he doesn’t need extra motivation.

‘This is the kind of player who doesn’t need extra motivation,’ he said. ‘He is an amazing player, scoring goals for us at the start of the season