English-born CB opens up on when Nigerian Federation first contacted him to play for Super Eagles

English-born central defender Gabriel Osho has shared details about his invitation to the Super Eagles, revealing that the Nigeria Football Federation first reached out to him after Luton Town earned promotion to the Premier League through the playoffs at the end of the 2022-2023 season.

The Auxerre star became cap-tied to Nigeria last month following his inclusion in the starting lineup for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Benin's Cheetahs.

Osho has suggested that his debut could have come in 2023 if not for the injuries that ruled him out at the start of the 2023-2024 season.

Following his recovery, Osho received his first Super Eagles call-up for the March 2024 internationals against West African rivals Ghana and Mali, only to be sidelined again by a knee injury recurrence shortly before the training camp in Morocco.

With Semi Ajayi unavailable for selection due to injury, interim Nigeria manager Augustine Eguavoen opted to invite Osho for the AFCON qualifiers in November.

Osho's commitment to playing for Nigeria instead of England was evident early on as he took part in a Golden Eaglets training camp before the 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup.

Speaking to Flashscore, Osho said: "I think the NFF reached out the summer Luton got promoted. I think that was the summer of 2023. But, you know, they just said they were interested and they were looking.

"Unfortunately, I was injured from the start of that season until October or September. So I wasn't really available for the first two selections of that season.

"When I started playing, I always wanted to get selected. I was just hoping and waiting for the call-up. 

"And then finally, it did come in March but I got injured against Crystal Palace, so I wasn't able to make that squad which was very frustrating."

Osho had the chance to play for the Nigeria national team for the first time on November 14 against Benin, a memory that will stay with him for a long time.

"It was special. I didn't know too much about the feeling of playing international football. So it was my first taste of being in an international camp and not only to go to the camp but also play.

“It was very special and overwhelming. Just a proud moment for me and my family.”

Osho opened his goalscoring account for Auxerre last weekend in their thrilling 2-2 draw with Lens..

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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