JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju added his voice to the reactions following Nigeria’s 2-1 victory over Madagascar in their first match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, saying he was excited to see new players appear in the team.
Sports247 reports that Adepoju, who was affectionately called ‘Director’ during his playing days and is now the ambassador of the Spanish League in Nigeria, noticed how the Super Eagles’ goals in the match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, were scored by rookies.
With George Ilenikhena of Al-Itihad in Saudi Arabia and Moses Usor of Austria’s LASK Lodz achieving results on their debuts, thus saving Nigeria from a possible defeat at home in the Akwa Ibom state capital, Adepoju felt that the Eagles now have plenty of options to count on.
However, he stressed that the players and their coach, Eric Sekou Chelle, should not rest on their oars, as they still have many games to play before choosing the ticket for AFCON 2027, while pointing out that there are also other games beyond the continental event.
“It’s a good way to start qualifying with a win, regardless of whether we lost first. The most important thing is that the team won against Madagascar. I’m delighted that we have so many chances to play for the Super Eagles.”
“It’s a very good development. Now it’s up to the coach to know who he wants to start with. He knows the composition of the team from the beginning and he will definitely know who to start with,” concluded Adepoju, who scored six goals in 48 appearances for Nigeria.
Sports247 further reports that Adepoju rose to prominence as a member of the Nigeria U-20 team that achieved ‘The Damman Miracle’ at the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship in Saudi Arabia, where he scored a brace against the United States in the semi-final but failed to score in the 2-0 final loss to Portugal.
He debuted with the senior team against Togo in August 1990, then participated in the 1992 African Cup of Nations, helped Nigeria win the following edition two years later and was part of Nigeria’s first team for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
Adepoju was also in the squad for the 1998 World Cup in France, where he scored in the 3-2 victory against Spain, a goal he scored with his trademark header and which he would declare years later to be his proudest goal for Nigeria and his finest World Cup moment.
At club level, he played for Shooting Stars of Ibadan, Julius Berger of Lagos, Real Madrid B, Racing Santander, Real Sociedad, Salamanca, Eldense and Cobeña of Spain, as well as Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, Samsunspor of Turkey and AEL Limassol of Cyprus.
