Super Eagles striker speaks on early days in Ajegunle

Odion Ighalo has promised to help people in Ajegunle where he grew up by opening a football academy to make it easy for the kids to have a career in football.

In an interview with Al Jazeera the 25-year-old striker recalls growing up in the squalor suburb.

"Life in Ajegunle was tough, we had no idea what the future would hold but we would wake up every morning content with the opportunity of another day," the Watford striker said.

"I’m the youngest [with twin sister Julieta] in a family of seven kids. We hoped for a better life. We would stand by the canal, look across it and pray for a miracle that will take us out of the ghetto.

"The little house we lived in was built by my father and he made sure we didn't starve like other kids.

"Growing up, we kicked cans, oranges and plastic bags on the street. If we were lucky, someone will bring a plastic ball for three-a-side.”

"You didn’t need extra motivation to succeed when you are born into the hardship and struggles of the ghetto.

"Success, money and fame makes it easy to forget where you come from but God took me out of Ajegunle for a reason."

After playing for Julius Berger of Lagos,  Lyn Oslo in Norway, Udinese in Italy and Granada in Spain, Ighalo seems settled in England where he just secured promotion to the League with Watford.

The striker who scored Super Eagles second goal in their last weekend, 2-0 win over Chad reveals his intention of going back to Ajegunle to help kids growing up there.

"I want to use my influence to get those in government to ensure maximum security in Ajegunle and upgrade the football fields to normal standards," Igaho said.

"I'd love to open a proper academy because the ghetto is blessed with talent and you can't find them in the dark so you need to provide facilities as the light.”