Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi says he was disappointed not to get Neymar’s shirt after the side’s friendly encounter against the Selecao of Brazil last year.
The West Bromwich Albion player put up a fine performance as the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by the five-time world champions at the Singapore National Stadium in October 2019.
“That was a great confidence boost for me (the game against Brazil) to be able to measure myself against players of that quality and come out with with a 1-1 draw,”Ajayi told West Brom’s official website.
“It’s a good feeling to be at that level and it was a very good performance and very good result for us.
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“The only disappointment was not getting Neymar’s shirt. But I don’t think he was in a very good mood after the game. I asked at the end but it was already taken – I think the other lads in the team must spend the entire game asking him which is something I would never do. But I got Coutinho’s so I’m happy enough with that.
“The Nigerians love their football and they are becoming more aware of me now that I am playing a lot more consistently with the national team.
“They know about Albion of course but they love the Premier League – all the Premier League players are worshipped out there. “
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_ Neymar’s Loss _
In the article above, Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi said he was disappointed not to have gotten Neymar’s jersey after Nigeria held Brazil to a 1:1 draw last year in a high profile friendly in Singapore.
However, so as not to end the evening totally disappointed, he aimed for and succeeded in getting Ex Liverpool midfielder Phillipe Coutinho’s Jersey.
But who should be disappointed? Neymar or Semi Ajayi?
Semi Ajayi is emerging as a very credible footballer for club and country. Should he continue on this curve, he would be playing in the English Premer League and winning things for Nigeria before the next World Cup.
I see Semi Ajayi going on to grow in stature Akin to England legend Rio Ferdinand.
By then, it would be his shirt that would be in much demand.
Should Nigeria face Brazil in 2022, it may be difficult for Neymar to capture Semi Ajayi’s shirt because other team mates of him may beat him to it.
Then, Neymar would regret not being in a position to exchange shirts with Ajayi when they met in Singapore!
@Deo
I laf tire. Good to know there is another incurable optimist. Know what? The entire SE are rising stars, thanks to the no nonsense approach of Rohr. If you don’t perform you’re out of the party—a fact Rohr haters do not know.
They want the return of double “P”—pay and play.
Nice one bro.
🙂
abeg let this season not to be called off o. so that ajayi can play in epl. because too much of staying in low league, can make one see other players as demi god.
mentality of too much playing in a low team. ndidi and iwobi or iheanacho, mikel, chukwueze, will not have this mentality. even kalu and henry will not.
SEMI-automatic! The defender who plays as if he studied DEFENDING in the university. Definitely one of the up and coming center backs in world football. I see the guy going places in the future, with hard work.