Augustine Eguavoen has revealed how central defender, Olisa Ndah, was included in the Nigerian squad to the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Eguavoen addressed the press on Saturday ahead of the Super Eagles clash against Tunisia in the AFCON round of 16 slated for Sunday.
Eguavoen even went further to reveal how he met the big centre back, who made his international debut for Nigeria against Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday.
He explained that he has been monitoring the player ever since someone called his attention to the defender while he plied his trade with Akwa United in the NPFL.
He said that Ndah was the product of Glasgow Rangers ace Leon Balogun’s absence, who was struggling to overcome a back issue prior to the commencement of the biannual event.
“Olisa Ndah, I like to give credit to people who deserve it. I was in Port Harcourt, watched Rivers United against a Sudanese team I think two years ago and Honourable Boma Iyaye told me about a centre back, there is a player in Akwa United I should please look out for that boy,” the 1994 AFCON winner said.
“And there was an opportunity for the team to go to the USA to play against Mexico last year and then I extended an invitation to the boy. Unfortunately, I could not accompany the team to the USA.
“What I saw in him during the training and as soon as Leon Balogun told us that he won’t be fit enough, he was not too sure, confirmed by his medical team and we had to give a chance to Olisa Ndah. Here he is, happy belated birthday to him and he’s doing well.”
Ndah, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Friday, will hope to be in Eguavoen’s starting lineup when the Super Eagles tackle the Carthage Eagles in the knockout match on Sunday.
The match will be played at 8 pm, local time.