One time Super Eagles invitee Fanendo Adi has given conditions that must be met by the coach of the Super Eagles before he will honour any call up to the national team of Nigeria.
Adi was called up by coach Samson Siasia for the back to back AFCON 2017 Qualifiers against Egypt but failed to make the matchday squad for the both fixtures, with the Super Eagles drawing 1-1 in Kaduna before losing 0-1 in Egypt.
The experience of not making the matchday squad is not lost on the Portland Timbers forward, who says although he is still interested in playing for Nigeria, he will only honour the call to represent Nigeria if he is assured of by the coach that he will get to play.
“To be able to represent your country is always good. To get invited is a good thing. The bad thing is to fly all the way from America, 32 hours to go there and back and not even be on the bench or on the 18/19 (list). It’s not a good moment or not a good thing, so for me that was very disappointing.
“I knew I could contribute but you just have to respect the coaches and do what they want to do, go with the flow. But also it looks bad that I flew all the way for 32 hours without being in the 19-man list. It was a sweet and sour moment.
” We’re all different players. I’d just do what I’m known for. I would try to help the team with my physical play, with my ball control, keeping the ball up for the players. And scoring goals for the team, helping the team create and as well score goals.
After I experienced the first call up, I said I’m not gonna fly out there [for nothing]. If they invite me, I’m just gonna ask the coach, ‘Am I gonna be in the 19 man (list)?’
I’m not ready to fly 32 hours and just stay on the trip and watch the game and not play. I’m not ready to go and just sit, that’s not what I want; but it’s always a great honor to represent your nation and if I’m called up that will be a very good thing for me and I will be very happy to represent my country” he said in an interview with KweseEspn.
