20 year old Vilar de Perdizes defender Bede Opara has been called up to the squad of the Nigeria U23 team who are presently in camp preparing for their upcoming Africa U23 Cup of Nations Qualifiers game against Libya, Owngoalnigeria.com reports.
The player will join the home based players in their Abuja camp on the 7th of March as he is among the foreign based players called up by coach Imama Amapakabo for the back to back qualifiers game against Libya.
Opara confirmed his invitation in a chat with Owngoalnigeria.com and described it as a dream come true but insist he now has to work hard to nail a spot in the team for the game.
” It’s a dream come true for me as it was part of my goals in 2019. I sincerely believe I didn’t achieve this call up by my efforts alone that is why I want to thank the entire set up of my club Vilar de Perdizes for their support. This will no doubt help me to grow as a player “, he told Owngoalnigeria.com.
The president of his Portuguese team Marcio Rodrigues was also filled with joy and described his invitation to the Nigeria U23 as a testament of the good work the club is doing as it’s not easy to notice a player who is playing in the 4th division in Portugal.
” The news of the invitation of Opara fills the club with joy and satisfaction, it’s an achievement to us as club because to have a player called up to the Nigeria U23 team despite the options available to them shows how well we are working here”, he said.
A member of the Nigeria U17 team of 2015 at the formative stage, Opara turned out for top division side GD Chaves as a youth player before penning a two year deal with non-league side Vilar de Perdizes last year.
Daniel Martins
