Former Nigeria international defender Celestine Babayaro has praised the performance of the new left back of the senior national team of Nigeria Bruno Onyemaechi in the AFCON qualifiers games against Benin Republic and Rwanda respectively.
Onyemaechi was a surprise selection to start in both games owing to the fact that he hasn’t been actively involved in the team since his debut almost two years ago. The defender also didn’t play a minute at the AFCON where the team finished second after losing 1-2 to the host Cote d’Ivoire in the final.
The Boavista defender gave a good account of himself in both games, combining his defensive duties with forays upfront to join the attack where he combined effortlessly with Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon.
Reacting to the performance of the 24 year old, Babayaro who had 27 caps for Nigeria at senior level, but fondly remembered for his exploits at Chelsea said he saw a bit of himself in Bruno especially his comfortability with the ball at his feet and his ability to defend on the front foot , without getting exposed or beaten.
” We share very similar characteristics in the way that we defend on the front foot and also use the ball when in possession. He (Bruno) plays a bit like me and I wish he continues to grow in that way. There is a football in there if properly harnessed and he also need to work hard as well”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.
