'I got kicked out of U20, U23' - Nwachukwu admits he thought Super Eagles call-up was a joke

Divine Nwachukwu has revealed how surprised he was when he got the text of invitation to the Super Eagles squad for their June international. 

Nwachukwu was one of the four home-based players invited by Jose Peseiro ahead for the national team's Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sierra Leone. 

The 20-year-old has been in amazing form for Bendel Insurance and was handed his first-ever call-up to the Super Eagles after he was scouted by manager Jose Peseiro during the NPFL Championship playoffs. 

Nwachukwu netted four goals and registered five assists in 23 games in the recently concluded NPFL season and would be hoping he ends the season on a high note by winning the Federation Cup 

Asked about how he felt when he got the call-up to the Super Eagles squad, he told reporters at the end of training on Monday: "I feel amazing, what can I say?  I am more than happy right now. When I got the text, I thought it was a joke, I feel very amazing and I feel proud of myself and what I have done"

The diminutive attacking midfielder also spoke of how tough it has been for him as a footballer.

"It has been one rough journey for me. I have been in the U20, U23 but in the end, I got kicked out.

"To play for Bendel Insurance at my age and to do what I have done is amazing and at least I got a reward.

"The coach saw me and picked me. It is a plus for me and I am very happy for that"

Should he make his senior debut against Sierra Leone, Nwachukwu would become only the second Golden Eaglets player in the class of 2019 to feature for the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of Red Bull Salzburg's Samson Tijani. 

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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