Chippa United centre-back, James Okwuosa, has told
supersport.com that he has his eyes set on making
his international debut for Nigeria.
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Okwuosa is a late call-up alongside Free State Stars
defender, Gege Soriola, for Wednesday's Nelson
Mandela Challenge against South Africa's Bafana
Bafana at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
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But the former Enugu Rangers man is "positive" and
prayerful that he could get a chance to run out for
the African champions.
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"I have to stay positive and believe that I can play in
tomorrow's game. That is my prayer right now and I
hope I will get my debut and it will be the beginning
of good things to come," Okwuosa told
supersport.com from Durban on Tuesday.
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The defender did not stop to express his shock at
earning a call from the Nigerian selectors even
though it came late. But the ex-Lobi Stars man will
accept the late invitation anyway.
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"I'll be very honest, I wasn't expecting that I will get a call-up so soon. But I know one day I would get my chance but I didn't know it will come this quick," the player, whose surname is Okwuosah but has erroneously been referred to as Okwuosa, opened up.
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The Chippa United player was quick to point out that
the Nigerian coaches gave him a warm welcome into
the squad. He also expressed his admiration for
Nigeria boss, Stephen Keshi and his achievement
since taking charge of the team in November 2011.
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"I got a very warm welcome from the coach and his assistants. Coach Keshi and his assistants have achieved so much in the last one year - winning the Africa Cup of Nations too. So it's an opportunity to work with such a successful manager like him and I'll do my best to impress not just him but my country," offered the defender.
We won the game already so we should be happy with ourselves. Good goals from Uche Nwafor...We did well.