'My teammates noticed I was a little bit shaky' - Onyemaechi shares advice he received from Ndidi on Nigeria debut 

Boavista defender Bruno Onyemaechi has confessed that he was quaking in his boots when he made his debut for the Super Eagles in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against São Tomé and Príncipe in September 2023.

The former Golden Eaglets skipper earned his first Nigeria call-up for a high-profile friendly against Portugal in November 2022 but did not play, similar to his role as a substitute in the back-to-back fixtures against Guinea-Bissau.

A Nigeria team captained by Wilfred Ndidi thrashed São Tomé and Príncipe 6-0, highlighted by a hat-trick from Victor Osimhen, along with goals by Ademola Lookman, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Samuel Chukwueze.

Onyemaechi emphasized that the expectations from fans create a high-pressure situation for players wearing the Nigeria jersey.

Speaking to EaglesTracker, Onyemaechi said: "When you put on the Nigeria shirt, the pressure is too much, you need to win. Even if you are playing in England, even if you are playing in the biggest team in the world, you need to win.

"My teammates in Portugal always tell me the same thing. Nigeria is bigger than Portugal, the pressure. 

"The pressure got to me. When the game started, 15 or 20 minutes, I was a little bit shaky, and some of my teammates noticed, especially Ndidi.

"Ndidi noticed, called me, and said to me to be more relaxed that it's normal."

Onyemaechi attended the same secondary school as Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was the only girl permitted to play football with the boys. 

The left-back has earned six caps for Nigeria since making his senior debut and was in the squad to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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