Amas Obasogie has expressed his excitement after earning a spot in Nigeria’s preliminary squad for the Africa Cup of Nations and remains confident of making the final selection, SportPremi reports.
The 25-year-old earned a chance to represent the Super Eagles at the continental competition after Eric Chelle included him in the preliminary squad earlier this week.
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He made the squad alongside five other goalkeepers – Maduka Okoye, Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho, Adebayo Adeleye and Ebenezer Harcourt, which will most likely be eliminate to a team of three in the final squad.
The Nigerian head coach will name his final 28-man squad for the tournament in Morocco before the December 11 deadline to commence early preparations.
Obasogie hasn’t played for the national team yet, despite being called up several times, including for the final six FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The goalkeeper, who plays for Singida Black Stars in Tanzania, sat on the bench for all of these games as Nigeria missed out on a World Cup spot to DR Congo in the CAF playoffs final.
The Democratic Republic of Congo edged the tie on penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw to progress to the intercontinental playoff round at the expense of the Super Eagles.
What Obasogie said after AFCON call-up
Speaking to interviewers after the announcement of the preliminary squad, Amas Obasogie expressed delight at the call-up and is optimistic of making the final cut for the tournament.
“I am very happy and honored to be among the provisional list, it’s an honour and I am very grateful to be among the team”, the 25-year-old said.
“I don’t take the opportunity for granted I went to thank the coach, we will make him proud by God’s grace. I know the coach is a nice man and I want to urge Nigerians to support the Super Eagles, by God’s grace we will bring the cup back home.”
What next for Nigeria?
Nigeria head into the African Cup of Nations hoping to put behind the disappointment of their World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Super Eagles begin their campaign in Morocco on the 23rd of this month, before playing their second match against Tunisia on the 27th.
They conclude action in the group stage against Uganda on the 30th and will be hopeful of advancing to the knockout rounds of the competition.
