Super Eagles Newcomer Gabriel Osho Reveals His Lifelong Desire To Play For Nigeria

Super Eagles Newcomer Gabriel Osho Reveals His Lifelong Desire To Play For Nigeria

Gabriel Osho, the new Super Eagles defender, has shared that representing Nigeria has always been a long-held ambition, even before his recent call-up to the national team. Osho, who currently plays for French club AJ Auxerre, is part of the squad preparing for the Super Eagles’...CONTINUE READING…

final 2025 AFCON qualifier against Rwanda, scheduled for 5 p.m. today, November 18.

Osho made his debut for Nigeria last Thursday during a crucial qualifier against Benin Republic at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Despite a challenging first half, where Nigeria conceded an unexpected goal, Osho played for 45 minutes before being substituted at halftime.

Reflecting on his debut, Osho expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s been an amazing experience. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, and I’m truly grateful. The weather was nice initially, but the rain added to the experience,” he told OgaNLA Media.

Originally set to join the team for friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March, Osho missed the matches due to injury. Looking back, he shared how easy it was to connect with the Nigerian national teams. “I visited Nigeria before the U-17 team won the World Cup in 2015. I’ve always wanted to play for Nigeria,” he added, emphasizing the importance of his family ties. “I have visited Nigeria four times while growing up. Returning was never a difficult decision.”

Osho, who switched his international allegiance from England to Nigeria after not receiving a call-up from the Three Lions, is expected to feature in the 2025 AFCON in Morocco following Nigeria’s qualification. The Super Eagles have secured their place after a 1-1 draw, meaning their final game against Rwanda will have no bearing on their qualification.

Ahead of today’s match, Osho praised the team’s collective effort in securing their qualification: “We did what we needed to do to qualify, and we’re looking to improve as a team. I’m also aiming to perform better individually,” he said.

Since joining AJ Auxerre from Luton, where he played in the Premier League during the 2023/24 season, Osho has made nine appearances in Ligue 1, marking a strong start to his new chapter in France.