Auxerre defender Gabriel Osho left head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Austine Eguavoen with a huge smile on his face after his impressive performance in yesterday’s training session, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Osho who is honoring the call up to the Nigerian team for the first time, after missing the last one due to a knock picked up while at Luton Town FC in the English Premier League didn’t show any signs of a player who is new to the team.
Yesterday in what was the team’s first full training session ahead of today’s game against Benin Republic in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, the 26 year old came out top in almost all of the duels he was involved in.
The initial plan wasn’t for him to start against Benin, but his performance yesterday is forcing into a rethink and he could start alongside William Troost-Ekong in central defence. Now fully established as a regular for Auxerre who are now finding their feet in the top division, if he starts Calvin Bassey will drop to the bench.
He showed enough during the one hour plus training to prove his readiness for the physical nature of African football. Eguavoen gave him a pat on the back after the session, a sign that could mean a debut for the defender who can also operate as a full back from either flanks.
