I Was Shocked And Excited; Aliyu Reacts To Eagles Call-Up

Enyimba defensive midfielder, Abdulrazak Aliyu, has revealed that his recent Super Eagles invitation left him shocked and happy at the same time.

Aliyu, who has been key to Enyimba's success so far this season got a call up by the Eagles technical crew after the first set of players failed to impress the former Nigerian international.

"I am quite surprised to have received the call to the national team and at the same time, I am happy because I feel this was always coming but honestly I didn't expect it to come now after a long time when I last got a call up in 2010.

"But this, for me, is a big encouragement to my career being called up at a time there are plenty talent in the country. I do not doubt my ability as a player but to be honest over the years I have decided to concentrate on my game, improve on it and become a better player, and allow my game to speak for me. Like I said it was not something I was looking up to but now it (the invitation to the national team) has come and I will go there and give my best," Aliyu told supersport.com.

The defensive midfielder has made 16 league appearances for the Peoples Elephant this season, and was last called to the Nigerian men's national team for the 2010 Wafu Cup by Daniel Amokachi.