SC Paderbon of Germany defender, Jamilu Collins has described his maiden invitation to the Super Eagles as the reward of several days of fervent prayers from him, coupled with hard work and determined focus.
While admitting he was excited to learn that he had been invited for the Eagles’ second match in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, away to Seychelles next Saturday, Collins said he had been hopeful all along of finally getting a senior national team call-up.
The left footed defender, who trained with the Flying Eagles prior to the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey, said he wants to make up for missing out on that global competition by being part of Nigeria’s squad to AFCON 2019.
The 24-year-old left back, who was groomed at Abuja Football College, said he will join the Eagles’ camp in Seychelles on September 3.
Collins added: “I am really happy, a great feeling, to be invited to play for my beloved country Nigeria. I have been hopeful, praying and training hard every day to be called upon one day to represent my country.”
His declaration comes few hours after his German club issued an official public statement to hail the fast-rising defenders first national team call up.
Paderborn 07’s general-manager sport, Markus Krösche said it is a huge reward for the 24-year-old defender to be named in Nigeria’s first post-World Cup squad.
Krösche said: “We are delighted with Jamilu’s invitation, which is also an honour for our club, as he will continue to make important career advances on this international fixture journey,”
