'Keshi Personally Watched Me Against Tottenham' - Onazi On How He Became A Super Eagles Player

Denizlispor midfielder Eddy Onazi has opened up on how he received his maiden call-up to the Super Eagles, stating that he was scouted by the late Stephen Keshi in a Europa League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur in September 2012.

Keshi was hugely impressed with the performance of the defensive midfielder and promptly handed him his first call-up for a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Liberia the following month.

In an interview with the Super Eagles Media Team via Instagram, Onazi also touched on why he had to play as a right-back during the Super Eagles second group game against Zambia at the 2013 AFCON.

"Keshi told me he wanted me to do something for Nigerians, that he was going to play me in the right back position against Zambia, Efe Ambrose was suspended. I told him I was ready to play as a goalkeeper," Onazi explained.

"Coach Stephen Keshi personally watched me playing against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League when I was in Lazio.

"That was when he asked Enebi, the Team Secretary if I was a Nigerian and he said yes, he said he wanted me in the national team, so that's how I came to the Super Eagles.

"I have so much respect for the Big Boss, I never forget about him, he's a legend and may his soul in peace and God bless him wherever he is, he contributed massively to my football career".

Onazi was not in the Super Eagles squad to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations because he was still recovering from a long-term injury that kept him on the sidelines for close to a year.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel