Nigerian born defender, Sodiq Anthony Rasheed 21yrs of age who is currently playing for FC Alania a Division one club in Russia says he is not disappointed that the head coach of Super Eagles, Genor Rohr did not extend an invitation letter to him ahead of international friendlies and FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
Recently Rohr has invited both home and foreign players that would feature against Cameroon in a friendly match and other subsequent matches.
Sodiq in an exclusive chat with our correspondent said there is nothing to worry about his noninclusion to the senior national team saying that when his time comes, he would be invited and he will do the nation proud
“I am not disappointed or not worried that Coach Rohr did not extend an invitation to me for international friendlies and FIFA World cup qualifying matches. I would continue to do my best in my club and be consistent in my game. Everybody cannot play in the national team at the same time but when my time comes, nobody can stop it. Let me wait for my time and continue to support the senior national team. I know someday I would be remembered,” said Sodiq who started his football career with Messiah FC of Lagos years ago.
Commenting on the friendly match between Nigeria and Cameroon, scheduled to hold this month, a central defender is optimistic that the three-time Africa Nation Cup winner would triumph over central Africa country. He said with the crop of players invited to camp, Nigeria stands the chance to beat Cameroon again.
“We beat them before not only in the Nations Cup, we also beat them in the last World Cup qualifying group matches so playing them again is not a problem to Nigeria. The era when Cameroon beat Nigeria is gone and I think it is going to be tough because of the rivalry between the two nations but Eagles are the favorite to win the game,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sodiq, manager and US football-based coach; Anthony Ushurhe said his client is ripe to feature for Eagles following his performance in the Russian league.
He urged the technical department of the Nigeria Football Federation and the coaching crew of the senior national team to try as much as possible to watch some Nigerian players who are playing in Eastern Europe instead of concentrating their effort on the major European leagues.
“We have good Nigerian players plying their trade in Eastern Europe which they are not giving an opportunity to feature for the senior national team. With Sodiq’s current form and great performance in matches in the Russian league, I know Sodiq is capable and has the qualities to play in the senior national team because his defensive ability and agility when he loses the ball is superb and his marksmanship is excellent. Such a player deserves national team call up,” he said.
