Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu has declared himself ready to fight for a regular place in the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 24-year-old admits that the battle for the right-back position is now one of the most competitive areas of the national team.
Alebiosu accepts that Ola Aina remains Nigeria’s first-choice option in the role, with Bright Osayi-Samuel established as the main alternative, but believes the depth and quality now available can only be good for the squad.
His own emergence has added another layer to that competition, and he insists he is already enjoying the challenge of trying to stake a long-term claim.
Nigeria’s plans at the recent 2025 Africa Cup of Nations were shaped by misfortune even before the tournament began. Aina was ruled out by injury on the eve of the competition, while youngster Benjamin Fredrick, who had been groomed as cover, also suffered a setback.
With options limited, coach Eric Chelle turned to Alebiosu as the main alternative to Osayi-Samuel, even leaving open the possibility that the Blackburn man could force his way into the starting XI.
Osayi-Samuel started Nigeria’s first two group games against Tanzania and Tunisia, both of which ended in wins. With qualification already secured, Alebiosu was handed his opportunity in the third match against Uganda. After a difficult opening spell as he adjusted to the physical and tactical demands of international football, he grew into the contest and delivered an encouraging performance in a 3-1 victory.
That promising moment was interrupted by a deep laceration to his leg, an injury that sidelined him for two weeks and kept him out of the decisive stages of the tournament.
Although he returned in time for the third-place playoff win over Egypt, Chelle chose not to take any risks.
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Ryan Alebiosu: Eyes on AFCON 2027 and the next chance
Alebiosu is now looking ahead to renewed competition with Osayi-Samuel, Aina and Fredrick when everyone is fully fit again.
“The competition for places is high. It’s good competition for the players, and it makes everyone want to build better and higher,” Alebiosu told the Punch.
“Bright (Osayi-Samuel) is obviously a wonderful player, and he proved himself at this tournament. We uplift each other, especially when I was fit, and that’s something we’ll keep doing to push each other to get better and better. Good competition is good for the team as well.”
Alebiosu admits his first AFCON did not unfold as he had hoped.
“It’s a bit frustrating, I wanted to show what I could do at my first AFCON,” he added.
“When it happened, the team came together and helped me a lot, and watching the team win games really boosted my morale. I was out for some weeks. I was glad I was able to return before the end of the tournament, but I couldn’t get more minutes.
“Hopefully, the next chance I get, I will get more of a chance in the squad. Injuries happen, but next AFCON, I will work harder to get there.”
Nigeria won five matches on their way to the semi-finals before losing on penalties to hosts Morocco, and Alebiosu has already fixed his sights on being part of the 2027 tournament in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.
