Former Super Eagles forward Chinedu Obasi has revealed that he was one of the ball boys during the FIFA U-20 World Cup hosted in Nigeria.
Obasi, 33, disclosed this during a live Instagram session on Brila FM.
Nigeria was awarded the hosting right of the 1999 U-20 World Cup, becoming the second African country to host the tournament after Tunisia in 1977.
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The Flying Eagles got to the quarter-final of the competition before losing 3-1 to a Seydou Keita-inspired Mali.
Spain with the likes of Xavi Hernandez, Iker Casillas, Gabri went on to win the tournament.
“I was a ball boy during the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Nigeria.
“I was giving balls to the likes of Joseph Yobo and Pius Ikedia then few years later I was playing in the final of the competition (2005 U-20 World Cup).”
Obasi who was a member of the Eagles squad to the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup both in 2010, predicted a bright future for the current team.
He added: “The future of the national team is looking bright because we have a lot of young players coming up.
“Players like (Victor) Osimhen, (Samuel) Chukwueze, (Wilfred) Ndidi, these guys are doing really well. They are good players and have potentials to be great we just have to get the structures right.”
Obasi featured for the likes of Schalke 04, Hoffenheim, Lyn Oslo, AIK, Shenzhen and Elfsborg.
On 21 January 2019 Obasi signed a one year deal with AIK, his third spell at the Stockholm club.
He helped Nigeria win silver at both the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup and 2008 Beijing Olympics.
After the end of the U-20 World Cup, Obasi was called up by the Eagles for the first time on 17 August 2005, in a 1–0 friendly win against
Libya .
He was offered the chance to represent the Norway national football team during his club career in Norway but refused.
