'I want to earn a call-up' - Osimhen's friend sends message to Eguavoen ahead of Afconq in November

Chornomorets Odessa goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso has sent a message to Nigeria's interim coach Augustine Eguavoen, stating his intention to be considered for selection in the national team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November.

Although he has yet to make his senior debut, Aniagboso earned his first call-up to the Super Eagles for a pair of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Guinea-Bissau in March 2023 under former manager Jose Peseiro but was a non-playing substitute in both games. 

The Giant Brillars product has been in the international wilderness for approximately one year, with the likes of Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie, Olorunleke Ojo, Adebayo Adeleye and Victor Sochima ahead of him in the pecking order of Nigerian goalkeepers.

Aniagboso first rose to prominence at the 2023 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, where he posted four clean sheets in five matches while conceding one goal, helping Nigeria qualify for the World Cup in Argentina.

After the tournament in Egypt, he earned a move to Ukrainian outfit Polissya before transferring to Chornomorets last month. 

An invitation to the Super Eagles would allow Aniagboso to reunite with his friend, Victor Osimhen, widely regarded as Nigeria's biggest star.

"I was part of the national team. After the U20 World Cup, I was promoted to the senior squad. Now, I want to play more and earn a call-up to the Super Eagles," he told Dailysports' expert, Oleksandr Ryzhenko.

"Osimhen is my friend. We have been in the same camp before the Super Eagles. He’s just a wonderful guy, and he is hardworking."

Osimhen joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan in September after proposed moves to English Premier League giants Chelsea and Saudi Pro League moneybags Al-Ahli fell though on deadline day in Italy. 

Commenting on Osimhen's loan move to Galatasaray, Chijioke said: "It’s football. Sometimes, that happens. Sometimes, you need to go where people accept you. 

"He was a wonderful player in Italy. Some challenges came up, and I think the Turkish people accepted him, so he had to go."

The 20-year-old Aniagboso made his Ukrainian Premier Liga debut for Chornomorets Odessa against LNZ Cherkasy on September 28, 2024.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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