Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, has revealed how he joined the Super Eagles and the pivotal role the late former coach, Stephen Keshi, played in helping him achieve his Super Eagles dream.
Onazi who now plays for Denizlispor, says the Europa League game between Tottenham and his former club Lazio in 2012 influenced Keshi to invite him to the Super Eagles squad.
Onazi, 27, was called up by Keshi and he made his debut in a 2013 AFCON qualifying game against Liberia.
According to Onazi he didn’t mind even playing as a goalkeeper as long as he donned the green white green jersey of Nigeria.
“Keshi told me he wanted me to do something for Nigerians, that he was going to play me in the right-back position against Zambia, Efe Ambrose was suspended. I told him I was ready to play as a goalkeeper,” Onazi told Super Eagles media team via Instagram live.
“Coach Stephen Keshi personally watched me playing against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League when I was in Lazio.
“That was when he asked Enebi, the Team Secretary if I was a Nigerian and he said yes, he said he wanted me in the national team, so that’s how I came to the Super Eagles.
“I have so much respect for the Big Boss, I never forget about him, he’s a legend and may his soul rest in peace and God bless him wherever he is, he contributed massively to my football career”.
