Blackburn Rovers right-back Ryan Alebiosu has expressed pride and excitement after earning his first-ever call-up to the Nigerian national team ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, describing the moment as a significant milestone in his career.
With Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina short of match fitness following a hamstring injury and Brentford loanee Benjamin Fredrick ruled out of the tournament in Morocco, Nigeria coach Eric Chelle moved to include Alebiosu in his final 28-man squad, which was announced by the Nigeria Football Federation last week.
A graduate of Arsenal’s renowned Hale End Academy, Alebiosu was born in London to Nigerian parents, making him eligible to represent both the Super Eagles and the Three Lions at international level.
The 23-year-old caught Chelle’s attention after a run of impressive performances for Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, form which also earned him the club’s Player of the Month award for September.
Following Blackburn’s Championship encounter with Portsmouth on Saturday, Alebiosu spoke to BBC Radio Lancashire. The full transcript of that interview is reproduced below.
"I am obviously excited, playing for my nation for the first time is obviously a pleasure. I am very much delighted, can't wait to get started and help my nation reach big things."
When you were first called up to the big number of players in the squad, where you quite confident that you would be in the squad that was whittled down or did you think maybe half a chance?
"To be honest I was shocked. Obviously I was hoping, just playing my game, just focusing on here and whatever happens happens. When I got the call to the final squad I was delighted."
Amazing. I bet you told your family pretty quick, didn't you?
"100 percent. Obviously my family Nigerians, they were delighted. As soon as I got the news, I've never seen them so happy. It's a great feeling."
Has it always been your sort of hope to represent Nigeria. I know you were born in London of course. Has it always been your sort of hope that you'd represent Nigeria?
"100 percent. It has always been a big part of me Nigeria and England, one of them. And obviously Nigeria came calling , it's something that I didn't want to miss. It's a big opportunity, especially at 23 years of age. It's special."
At the start of the season, did you think it would be a possibility or not?
"No. I didn't even think of international football. My main focus was obviously on club football, getting myself out there and showing what I can do."
Have you been given the tracksuit and everything that goes with it yet?
"I will get that when I am there."
Amazing experience this is going to be for a good few weeks. To be going away over Christmas to play in this tournament, it must be something completely different than you've ever been used to.
"100 percent. It's obviously the first time I've ever been called up to play international and to play in a big tournament. It's a pleasure, giving my all, represent Blackburn well and then come back and do what we're doing."
What's the reaction of your teammates here?
"They are happy for me. Everyone is just smiling for me and it's a pleasure. They are great teammates, couldn't ask for anything more and I'm just happy."
I think everyone is going to be watching out in the Blackburn area for Nigeria over the next few weeks and to see how you do. There's going to be so many people wanting you to do well. I think you've had tons of messages.
"Yes, hundreds of messages and I just can't thank everyone enough for the messages."
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit: rovers.co.uk
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Blackburn Rovers right-back Ryan Alebiosu has expressed pride and excitement after earning his first-ever call-up to the Nigerian national team ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, describing ...
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