The Lorient striker notched 14 Ligue 1 goals in his maiden campaign in France to earn himself his first international call-up to the Nigerian senior national team
Exciting Nigerian forward Terem Moffi has revealed his delight at finally fulfilling his dreams of playing for the Super Eagles while opening up on his relationship with the team’s more established strikers.
With the departure of Victor Osimhen on a multi-million euro deal to Napoli from Lille last summer, the French league welcomed little-known Moffi to newly-promoted Lorient.
Despite scoring on his debut, the youngster took a while to adapt to his new surroundings before exploding in 2021.
Moffi opened his account for the year against Monaco before smashing goals in games versus Bordeaux, Dijon, Monaco again, Olympique Lyon, Lens, and the winner against champions PSG.
But Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr was already convinced of the youngster’s quality, and after his hat-trick in Lorient’s 4-1 defeat of Girondins Bordeaux in March, it was time for a national team callup.
Although he failed to make the final squad in March, Moffi finally made his debut for the Super Eagles in the friendly games against Cameroon this month.
And in an exclusive interview with Soccernet.ng, Moffi detailed how he reacted to the German tactician’s invitation.
“He (Gernot Rohr) said he hopes to see me in the next FIFA international break, said he’s sending an invite to me,” Moffi told Soccernet.
“I didn’t know what to say. I had to screenshot the message and post it on my family group chat for them to see.”
“I had no clue of an answer to give him.” It was really amazing. I was really surprised.
“As a footballer, you want to play for your national team. Every footballer dreams of this. So it was a dream come true.”
Moffi is impressed by the set-up in the Super Eagles camp and applauded the love and affection between the players and the coaching staff.
“One of the best group of people that I’ve been with. They’re so entertaining, welcoming. They help each other. It’s full of laugh and banters, jokes up and down. It’s the best scenario to be in.
“The coaching staff as well made it easy for you. They are as nice as possible. They communicate with you, which is really good man-management.”
It could be difficult for the youngster to displace Victor Osimhen as the Super Eagles number one striker, though
And there are some very talented forwards ready to fill the gap in the event of the unavailability of the Napoli man, including Ebony Shoe winner Paul Onuachu, Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho, and Italy-based Simy Nwankwo.
But Moffi does not see any rivalry between the strikers but a togetherness that desires for each to excel.
“Look at Paul Onuachu, 35+ goals, Victor Osimhen, Simy (Nwankwo), myself, Kelechi Iheanacho; it’s an incredible bunch of Nigerian strikers.”
“I am happy for myself and for them as well. I hope we keep it up this way and score even more next season,” the former Kortrijk striker added.
