Super Eagles defender, Jamilu Collins has revealed that the need to get back to full fitness was behind his decision to pull out of the team’s friendly games against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique.
Recall that the Cardiff City defender was named in the 23-man squad by Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro before he pulled out of the game due to fitness concerns.
However, in a press conference ahead of Cardiff City Sky Bet Championship clash against Bristol City on Saturday, the Nigerian international stated that he was advised by Peseiro to rest due to the issues with his hamstring.
“Me not going to the national team was for my own self,” he told a press conference ahead of Cardiff City Sky Bet Championship clash against Swansea.
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“I’ve been out for a long time and the gaffer told me not to because he wants me to rest due to the issues with my hamstring. I think the advice was the right one for me.
“I just play and if the national team coach is impressed with the performance, he will stick with me.”
Collins received his first call-up to the Nigeria national team for an Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Seychelles on 11 September 2018.
He made his debut a day later in a friendly against Liberia. After talking up his qualities, coach Gernot Rohr handed the 24-year-old his competitive debut in the next Afcon qualifying fixture against Libya in Uyo.
Nigeria defeated their visitors 4–0 and the left-back was impressive, coming close to marking his Super Eagles debut with a goal.He featured in the reverse fixture in Sfax, Tunisia, which ended in a 3–2 victory for Nigeria to top Group E.
On 25 December 2021, He was shortlisted in 2021 AFCON Nations Cup by Caretaker Coach Eguavoen as part of the 28-Man Nigeria Squad.
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