Tella reveals the key thing that has excited him about being in Nigeria camp ahead of possible cap-tying game

Nigeria manager Jose Peseiro ran the rule over Bayer Leverkusen winger Nathan Tella in his side's first training session on grass ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho. 
 

The hamstring injury suffered by AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze in the last training camp in Portugal opened the door for Tella to receive his first call-up to the Nigeria national team, having committed his international future to the three-time African champions over 1966 world champions England, where he was born and raised. 

Tella can become cap-tied to Nigeria as early as tomorrow with an appearance, even for one second, against Lesotho.

The Bayer Leverkusen winger knows a couple of players in the current Super Eagles squad as he is a product of Arsenal's Hale End Academy like Alex Iwobi and was teammates with Joe Aribo at Southampton and now plays on the same Bayer Leverkusen team as Victor Boniface.

Speaking after his first training session on Tuesday, Tella said: "It was good, obviously a very talented team, a lot of very good players and it's nice to be a part of them and they've welcomed well so I'm looking forward to the upcoming games."

When asked to reveal the key thing that has excited him about being in camp with the Super Eagles, Tella responded: "Just playing with the best players in the country. I always want to push myself and challenge myself, play with the best and be among the best. 

"I've had the opportunity to do it at club level and now I can do it at international level so it's a big opportunity for me."

Tella concluded by revealing what he would bring to the Super Eagles if he plays a cap-tying game against Lesotho on Thursday.

On what fans should expect from him, the Arsenal alum said: "Someone who is direct, runs in behind, like to get in 1v1 situations, to dribble and also to score and assist to help my team".

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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