SLAVIA PRAGUE striker Peter Olayinka has stated that his call-up by interim Super Eagles coach, Austin Eguavoen, to the national team for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations was the best Christmas gift he has ever received, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Olayinka was a late inclusion in the Eagles squad after the trio Odion Ighalo, Victor Osimhen and Emmanuel Dennis pulled out of the squad with barely 10 days to the kickoff of the tournament.
Aside, the 26-year-old, Henry Onyekuru, Kelechi Nwakali and Olisa Ndah were the other late inclusion in the team to the championship.
The former Genk striker told PUNCH Sports Extra that he had booked a 10-day holiday trip to Mallorca, Spain before he received a call from the interim coach Eguavoen if he would like to be part of the squad for the AFCON.
“I could say the coach’s (Eguavoen’s) call was the best Christmas gift I received in December,” Olayinka began in an exclusive interview with the PUNCH newspaper.
“Despite my happiness, the call disrupted my holiday plans because first I had to cancel my trip and inform my club President that I have been invited to the Nigerian national team for the AFCON.”
He also revealed that his club tried to convince him from honouring the invitation but he vehemently rejected all the pleas.
“They tried to convince me but I clearly told them I would be joining the team in camp in Abuja and he (club President) wished me well.
Olayinka made two appearances for the Eagles against Guinea Bissau and Tunisia as the team exited in the Round of 16 after recording wins over Egypt, Sudan and Guinea Bissau in the group stages of the competition.
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