Gabriel Osho Fulfills Dream of Playing for Nigeria
New Super Eagles defender Gabriel Osho has expressed his long-standing desire to represent Nigeria, revealing he had aspired to play for the country at the youth level. The AJ Auxerre player, who earned his first senior cap during last Thursday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic, shared his emotional connection to Nigeria and his excitement about finally fulfilling his dream.
Osho, initially called up for friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March but sidelined due to injury, reminisced about his earlier ties with Nigerian football. Speaking from the Super Eagles’ camp in Uyo ahead of their final qualifier against Rwanda, the 26-year-old said, “I even came to Nigeria before the U-17 team won the World Cup in 2015. I’ve always wanted to play for Nigeria. It was never a hard decision for me to come back here.”
Born to Nigerian parents from Ejigbo, Lagos, Osho switched allegiance from England to represent Nigeria. Despite a challenging debut in Abidjan, where he was substituted at halftime after the team conceded a goal, he cherished the moment. “It’s been a long time coming. I’m thankful to God for the opportunity,” he said. Reflecting on the rain-soaked match, he added, “The team did what was needed to qualify. We could have played better, including myself, but I’m thankful everyone finished without injuries.”
Osho, who played in the Premier League with Luton Town during the 2023/24 season, moved to Auxerre in France, where he has already made nine appearances this season. His journey to the Super Eagles marks a significant milestone in his career, solidifying his connection to his roots.
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