Super Eagles defender Jamilu Collins said on Monday that the team is ready to make Nigerians proud as they gear up to kickstart their FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers later this week.
The Cardiff City full-back, who recently returned to the national team set-up having just recovered from an Achilles tendon injury that kept him out of action for almost a year, says the players are grateful for the support of the Nigerian populace and are ready to secure victory for the people of the country.
“We are excited for the games coming up,” Collins began. “Everyone called up is looking forward to it.
“The mindset is ‘Let’s do it again’, the one you guys are promoting at the moment.
“We believe in Nigerians; we know they will always support us. We are always grateful to the fans for their support and we want to give them a good result.”
Quick update#soarsupereagles #letsdoitagain pic.twitter.com/Uigi0T1JsI
— ???????? Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) October 26, 2023
Collins, 29, is expected to play a part in Nigeria’s upcoming games against the Crocodiles of Lesotho and the Warriors of Zimbabwe in Group C of the CAF qualifiers for the World Cup.
With the left-back position in the Jose Peseiro-led side keenly contested, the Kaduna-born defender has downplayed any talks of ill competition between himself and the other two frequent invitees, Zaidu Sanusi and Bruno Onyemaechi, pointing out that they are all just in the team to make the country proud.
“There is no competition,” he stated. “We are in the national team; everyone is here to give their best.
“Whoever has the chance to play must give their best. I don’t think there is competition, we are here to make our country proud,” Collins added.
Collins and his teammates will hope to get off to the best of starts in the group when they welcome Lesotho, the 46th-ranked side on the continent, to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Thursday, November 16.
On Sunday, November 19, they will be on the move with an encounter against Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium in Bature, Rwanda, for matchday two action.
