'Balogun was not too sure' - Eguavoen reveals the backstory behind Ndah's inclusion AFCON squad

Augustine Eguavoen has revealed the backstory behind the inclusion of Olisa Ndah in Nigeria's finalized squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, saying he was tipped about the then Akwa United defender by Honourable Boma Iyaye, the Rivers State Commissioner for Sports.

The Orlando Pirates center back's inclusion in the squad list happened out of the blue as he wasn't one of the names being bandied about by the local press for a possible call-up for the Africa Cup of Nations in the wake of the appointment of Eguavoen as caretaker manager.

The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner has been keeping tabs on the progress of Ndah for more than two years and named him on the roster with uncertainty surrounding the fitness of Glasgow Rangers ace Leon Balogun, who was struggling to overcome a back issue picked up against Hibernian in the Premier Sports Cup.

Ndah, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Friday, has exhibited traits of being very humble, not overambitious and media-friendly in Cameroon.

On what he saw in Ndah that made him have belief in the center back, Eguavoen said at today's presser : "Olisa Ndah, I like to give credit to people who deserve it. I was in Port Harcourt, watched Rivers United against a Sudanese team I think two years ago and Honourable Boma Iyaye told me about a center back, there is a player in Akwa United I should please look out for that boy.

"And there was an opportunity for the team to go to USA to play against Mexico last year and then I extended an invitation to the boy. Unfortunately I could not accompany the team to the USA.

"What I saw in him during the training and as soon as Leon Balogun told us that he won't be fit enough, he was not too sure, confirmed by his medical team and we had to give a chance to Olisa Ndah. Here he is, happy belated birthday to him and he's doing well".

Ndah made his competitive debut for the Super Eagles off the bench against Guinea-Bissau on January 19.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel