Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has credited Argentine football scout Marcelo Houseman with playing a key role in launching his professional football career.
According to Ighalo, Houseman discovered him and fellow Nigerian footballer Kim Ojo in Nigeria and took them to Hertha Berlin in Germany when they were still unknown, creating opportunities that exposed them to European football.
He said beyond identifying talents, Houseman invested his time, resources and personal commitment in developing young players, and even supporting both players and their families financially during difficult periods.
He described Houseman as a mentor whose vision and sacrifices contributed significantly to the development of many African footballers, adding that without Houseman, his football story could have been different.
Ighalo began his professional career with Nigerian clubs Prime FC and Julius Berger before moving abroad in 2007. He made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2015 and represented Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He was also top scorer at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, helping Nigeria secure a third-place finish.
Ighalo currently plays for Al Wehda FC in Saudi Arabia.
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