Paderborn fullback Jamilu Collins has revealed that a childhood dream was fulfilled when he made his international bow for the three-time African champions.
Collins is one of the only six footballers of Nigerian descent plying their trades in the German Bundesliga, and the one with the highest number of national appearances.
Coach Gernot Rohr handed the 25-year-old his Super Eagles debut in a friendly game against Liberia in 2018.
It didn’t take long after that before the left-back made his competitive debut in an Afcon qualifying fixture against Libya in Uyo, and Collins still cherishes that moment.
“It was a dream come true, representing my country! Ever since I was a child, I always prayed for one day to represent my country,” Collins told World Football Index.
The former Rijeka defender has since become a regular in the Nigerian national football team and was actively involved as the country claimed the bronze medal at the 2019 CAF African Cup of Nations tournament held in Egypt.
Since the AFCON, Collins has featured in the Super Eagles impressive draws against Brazil and Ukraine, while he also played a crucial role in the two 2021 AFCON qualifying matches.
Collins is delighted with how his international career has panned out so far.
“My time so far in the national team has been a lot of great moments, and I am looking forward to achieving great things for my country.”
The defender has earned 11 caps for Nigeria so far and was named in the squad set to battle Sierra Leone in an AFCON qualifier before the outbreak of the coronavirus forced its suspension.