Enyimba defender, Valentine Ozornwafor, is determined to stake his claim on a regular playing berth in the Super Eagles following his maiden invitation to the team, Completesports.com reports.
Ozornwafor was among the 23 players named on Monday by Nigeria’s head coach Gernot Rohr in his squad for this month’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Seychelles and international friendly match versus Pharaohs of Egypt.
The tall centre-back and second choice goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa of Katsina United are the only home-based players in the squad.
Ozornwafor owe his surprise invitation to his stellar performance for Nigeria’s U-20 side, the Flying Eagles at the 2019 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Niger.
Ozornwafor was a key performer for the Flying Eagles at the competition and was named in the team of the competition by the Confederation of African Football along with team captain Ikouwen Udoh.
“I want to thank God for everything. I can say it is a dream come true for me,” Ozornwafor who played his first NPFL game this season for Enyimba last Sunday in the 0-0 away draw against Bendel Insurance told Completesports.com.
“As a young player, you look forward to an opportunity like this and to excel in future. It is a big opportunity for me and I hope to make the best use of it.
“I’m not just going to camp to make up the numbers. No player in his right senses will get invited to the national team and not put in his best in training to further prove his quality to the coaches.
“It is important to have a target. I have set a target for myself and will do my best to achieve it.
“Gradually I’m getting there. I believe with hard work and dedication, this will surely be a stepping stone for me.”
By Adeboye Amosu
3 Comments
Take a chance. You will make it. Aina will not be there because he is injured. Balogun is not in form, that is why he is not playing for his Club. so, you have a chance to make it as many European Clubs will surely open their arms for you to fall in this summer.
so in ur mind, if a player cannot nail down starting lineup means he is not inform abi?? without regarding the quality of a player ahead of him…no one in nigeria can single out balogun mistake or error for any match in super eagle. or is he the one dat foolishly wrestle down madzukic to cause stupid penerlty? or is he omeruo dat pacy tau dribble to equallise the game?? or is he still omeruo dat messi beat at russia to score us?? wat exactly balogun error for super eagle match? playin or not playin for club balogun never do mistake for us. we always suffer without him. omeruo unexperience dats why percy tau and messi beat him to score. ekong not inteligent as balogun foolishly wrestle down madzukic.. the most dangerous thing in futbol is mistake, if balogun dont do mistake leave him alone.
Fantastic defender and a well deserved call up.
Now you started playing in the league we expect you to add more steel and organisation to your game not forgetting the experience you will have playing in the local league and training with top players when hostilities resume with the super eagles.
Bin pole Ozonwafor will though have to wait for his time probably after the world cup depends on his performances and career choices which is prerequisite for a regular invitations to the senior national team.
Meanwhile,there is rumours going round he’s been touted by several European clubs,though I’m not surprise going by his sensational performances recently in Niger.
Honestly,having fit regulars like Balogun,Ekong,Omeruo,Awaziem and to an extend Ajayi and Ogu who can also play in the defence,I think Ozonwafor is there to be observed from close range by Rohr and his assistants and further observations at the world cup in Poland.I reckon he wasn’t invited to feature in any of this games rather to be observed from close range and fed with more experience going to the youth world cup.
Aigbogun should be pleased with this exposure to one of his top wards as it would count for something at the biennial tournament.
Meanwhile,fans shouldn’t be concerned about super eagles players who are currently crocked I think Rohr would have made contacts where necessary and gotten proven assurances that this crocked players shall be ready before the international breaks.It’s part of his job as a manager.
God bless Nigeria!