'I look to raise my game even more with Super Eagles' - 'Aggressive' Ajayi on his West Brom form

Semi Ajayi has admitted that he looks to take his game to a higher level while on international duty with the Super Eagles.

The former Arsenal U23 captain was a shining light for West Brom until he fell out of favour with manager Samuel Allardyce after he was shown a red card against Burnley on February 20.

Ajayi did not taste action in the last four matches played by the Baggies before he reported for international duty.

"Bringing my form from England to the Super Eagles is something I've always looked to do. If anything I look to raise my game even more," Ajayi said.

"Hopefully I can help the team get over the line and finally qualify for the AFCON, that will be great".

Ajayi is aggressive as a player but is a humble character off the pitch - a trait instilled in him since childhood by his parents.

"I'd say that when I am on the field I'm very competitive, I'm very aggressive but my natural character is just a very laid-back and polite human being which is how I was raised by my parents, so that's why you see the two different
contrasts because on the pitch there is no time to be polite, I want to win," he added.

Finally, the West Brom center back is relishing the prospect of facing Lesotho on March 30 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium with fans in attendance.

"It's a great feeling to be in Lagos, I have a lot of family in Lagos so I feel at home here.

"I visit Lagos very often anyway so the fact that now I'm here with the Super Eagles for the camp is amazing and I'm looking forward to finally playing in front of the fans," he concluded.

Ajayi has been involved in all the matches played by the national team - ten in total - since the conclusion of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel