I’m not desperate to play for Eagles
2 min read
In-form Austria Wien striker Kayode Olanrewaju says he is not desperate to play for the Super Eagles despite pressure from a section of the media for him to be invited to the team.
The 23-year-old has notched 14 goals this season for Wien, including two against Italian giants Roma in their Europa League fixtures, but was overlooked by coach Gernot Rohr for this weekend’s 2018 World Cup qualifier fixture against Algeria in Uyo.
Last week, Chairman, Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, Chris Green, told our correspondent that Olanrewaju would be invited to the team during the next FIFA window.
But the striker, who says he wants to play for his country, insists he won’t “pressurise anyone” to be invited to the national team.
He added that he was working hard to help Wien perform well in the Europa League after being left out of international football.
“I’m not desperate (to be with the team) at the moment; I’m putting in a lot of energy in the Europa competition because we want to get as far as possible. But time will tell whether I will be invited or not,” the 2009 U-17 World Cup finalist said.
“I’m human; everyone who’s doing great would love to be recognised but when you are not, you need to ask yourself some questions. But right now, I can’t pressurise anyone.”
He dismissed the suggestions that he won’t be able to displace any amongst Rohr’s preferred attack trio – Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho, Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi and Brown Ideye of Olympiakos – if eventually invited by the German.
“If I’m invited, I will give my best. I won’t be there to displace anyone; rather I would be out to show the quality I’m made of. It’s not a competitive affair, I believe it’s all about teamwork,” the striker, who represented Nigeria at the 2011 and 2013 U-20 World Cups, added.
The Eagles lead a tough qualifying World Cup group that includes continental heavyweights Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia but Olanrewaju believes they can qualify for Russia 2018 with the right mentality.
