Lusitano FC midfielder, Collins Nonso Ogbodo has hailed the talent; dedication and discipline in the Nigeria U23 team after the team sealed a spot in the 2019 U23 AFCON slated for Egypt in November this year.
Ogbodo was not used in either of the matches that confirmed Nigeria’s place among the eight nations that will take part in another elimination series in Egypt but the Portugal based midfielder affirmed to SportsTainment247.com that he is more than delighted with the invite with the chance to represent his fatherland.
He said he believes that his time will come if given another opportunity in the future and that he is going back to his base to continue working harder for his Portuguese club to enable him to earn another call-up.
“I feel very happy. It was a good one,” Ogbodo told SportsTainment247.com.
“Ever since I had a very strong and positive mind about this team because we have a very good team with a lot of talent, dedicated and disciplined players. I am very happy to be among the players that qualified Nigeria for the Under 23 AFCON in Egypt.
“I am not under pressure despite the fact that whenever you are coming from Europe it is expected that you offer something better. It is normal but I am not under pressure and I don’t think my colleagues are as well.
“This is my first call up to the national team and it is a very great one for me. It is a good achievement for you to be considered by your country and I am happy about that. I would like to be talking point this season in my club and Portugal as a whole.”
Ogbodo hinted on his importance for Lusitano when he stressed that he got a call from the team imploring him to quickly return to help them out in their league matches.
“My sports director called me and I was told that I am really needed back in Portugal and I hoping to return back before the end of the weekend,” he continued.
“We have just played only three matches in the league and a cup game which they won. I have played two games before I came to Nigeria. I doubt if I would be involved in the weekend game because I would be arriving in Portugal on Saturday.
“It wasn’t easy for me at the beginning because nothing was sure then. I played for Brighter Tomorrow Academy in Festac, Lagos and it was from there I went for trials and I was scouted. It was how I found my way to Europe.”
Ogbodo has featured in two league games for third division side, Lusitano out of the three they have played. They are 10th in the Campeonato de Portugal Prio table with three points from three games and they will play away to Castro Daire on Sunday in one of the Matchday Four games.
