Paderborn of Germany left full back Jamilu Collins has revealed the conversation he had with the coach of the senior national team of Nigeria before his first competitive international game against Libya on Saturday.
Collins was on from start to finish as Nigeria ran out comprehensive 4-0 winners but the decision of coach Gernot Rohr to start him came as a surprise to many considering his only game for Nigeria was the novelty game against Cameroon.
Originally billed to start the last qualifiers game against Seychelles before he picked up an injury few days to the game, Collins told Owngoalnigeria.com that the words he had with Rohr helped his confidence during the course of the game.
” The coach told me to enjoy myself and play to my abilities. Keep it simple and don’t be eager to impress. That helped calmed my nerves before stepping onto the pitch, to be honest I was surprised by the decision to start me”, Collins told Owngoalnigeria.com.
” I have since taken my mind off the game. I’m fully focused on tomorrow’s game as a team that is our aim and getting a good result will translate to qualification for the Cup of Nations. It’s our dream as a team”, he concluded.
