Eagles will make Nigerians smile again – Collins

Nigeria international, Jamilu Collins, says the Super Eagles will make up for the country’s early elimination from the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon with victory over Ghana in the Qatar 2022 World Cup play-offs.

The Eagles and the Black Stars are scheduled to face off in March as both sides fight for a spot at the World Cup.

Despite their impressive start at the 33rd edition of the AFCON where they picked up maximum nine points in the group stage, Nigeria shockingly crashed out of the tournament in the Round of 16 following a 1-0 defeat to Tunisia on January 23.

The Austin Eguavoen-led side will have a chance to make up for the disappointment when they face eternal rivals Ghana over two legs in the World Cup qualifying play-offs.

Ghana, who have only made it to the Mundial on three different occasions – 2006, 2010, and 2014, also didn’t have a good outing in Cameroon as they failed to progress from their group having finished bottom of the group with just a point.

The four-time African champions responded to their abysmal performance with the sacking of their coach, Milovan Rajevac.

While expressing his unhappiness at the country’s early exit from the AFCON, Collins said the Eagles are looking forward to putting smiles back on the faces of Nigerians with a World Cup qualification berth.

“Honestly, it was so sad the way we crashed out of the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon,” the Paderborn fullback told CKD Media.

“However, that is football. I strongly believe that better days are ahead for us.

“We are looking forward to the match against black stars come March and hopefully, the fans will smile again. We will approach the two legs like the World Cup finals.

“Every player’s dream is to play in the world cup and I am not an exception of that statement. I got my first cap after Russia 2018 and by GOD grace we will qualify for Qatar and restore the dashed hope of football-loving Nigerians.”

Since making his debut for Nigeria in 2018 in an international friendly against Liberia, Collins has gone on to make 25 appearances for the country and is yet to open his goal account.