Super Eagles newbie Salim Fago Lawal, has expressed his excitement at being part of Nigeria’s squad at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Although the NK Istra forward has yet to make his tournament debut, he emphasized that simply being included in the squad is a source of happiness.

"Yeah, for me I'm happy. It's not about getting a minute, but the main thing to be happy to be here and that's it," Fago said, reflecting on his initial feelings in the national team.

Lawal has spent time in the dressing room alongside senior players such as Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, gaining valuable insights and experiences.

When asked about his interactions with them, he highlighted their welcoming nature.

"Yeah, they treat me nice. They treat me like a brother. They talk to me, they encourage me and it's nice experience to be with top players," he stated.

He added, "You know, players you see on the TV and get along, share the same dressing room with them and same pitch, so it's a good experience for me."

The Super Eagles will now focus on their final match of the tournament, the third-place playoff against Egypt, following a penalty shootout defeat to Morocco that ended Nigeria’s hopes of winning a fourth Afcon title. 

As the team prepares for Saturday’s clash, Lawal’s positive experience in the dressing room and exposure to top-level players is expected to be a stepping stone for his debut and future contributions to the Super Eagles.

Wale Adejumo