SC Paderborn of Germany defender, Jamilu Collins has stepped up his efforts in training with the Super Eagles, as he aims for a starting shirt against Seychelles on Saturday.
The absence of four key defenders from the Super Eagles’ squad to battle their hosts in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier has created room for previously untested players to step in, and Collins is eager to snatch the opportunity.
With Torino full back, Ola Aina dropping out last weekend, Eagles’ coach, Gernot Rohr has been left with fewer options at full back, such that Collins could fill on the left and Brian Idowu move to the right.
Collins went off injured in the 84th minute of Paderborn’s 2-2 draw against VfL Bochum at the weekend, thereby creating doubts over his fitness heading into his first senior camp with Nigeria.
However, he is now battling to put aside all those worries, as he lined out for the Eagles’ warm down session in volleyball games at the beach on Tuesday and joined team training early Wednesday.
The 24-year old dark-skinned left-back did not show any sign of discomfort during two sessions with the Eagles, but the expected arrival of NK Gorica of Croatia defender, Shehu Mohammed is bound to give him a stiff battle for a shirt on Saturday.
Mohammed is a little more experienced than Collins, have already gained some senior caps, since coming through the youth ranks.
The UAE 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup-winning captain may be preferred at right-back against Seychelles, and Idowu would stay put on the left, where he starred well in three matches at the World Cup.
