James Okwuosa Aims To Beat South Africa

[Folami David]

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.

[Shola Sholaz]

We won the game already so we should be happy with ourselves. Good goals from Uche Nwafor...We did well.