Nigerian defender, Chibuike Nwaiwu, has described his Super Eagles debut as a dream come true after featuring in Nigeria’s 2-1 victory over Iran in an international friendly in Antalya, Turkey.
Nwaiwu, who was called up by head coach Éric Chelle as a late replacement for the injured Calvin Bassey, was introduced during the game at the Corendon Airlines Park, marking his first appearance for the senior national team.
Speaking after the match, the defender expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity, noting that representing Nigeria had been a long standing ambition dating back to his early days in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
“It is a privilege for me to represent my country because every footballer in the world dreams of representing their country. I am very happy to be here and very happy to make my debut today,” he said.
The defender also revealed that the excitement of receiving his maiden invitation to the national team almost disrupted his travel plans, as he nearly missed his flight to Turkey due to overwhelming emotions.
“I believe in God, and I believe hard work pays off. Right from the time I played in the NPFL, I always said I would wear the national team shirt and represent my country,” Nwaiwu stated.
“When I got the message at my club, I was very happy and excited because of the excitement, I nearly missed my flight,” he added.
Despite being new to the international stage, Nwaiwu settled quickly into the tempo of the game and contributed to a disciplined defensive effort as Nigeria secured the win. The Super Eagles took control of key moments in the match, with Moses Simon opening the scoring before Akor Adams added a second goal to give the team a comfortable advantage.
Iran responded in the second half, but Nigeria maintained composure to see out the game, ensuring a positive result for Chelle’s side as preparations continue.
Nwaiwu also acknowledged the quality of the opposition, describing Iran as a seasoned team with consistent appearances on the global stage, while crediting his teammates for their efficiency in front of goal.
“They are a very good side. They go to the World Cup practically every year. But I think we took our chances and did a great job,” he said.
The debutant’s performance is expected to strengthen his case for more opportunities in the national team setup, especially as the coaching crew continues to assess options and build squad depth ahead of major competitions.
Nigeria will now shift focus to their next international friendly against Jordan on March 31. The fixture offers another opportunity for the Super Eagles to build momentum, refine their tactical approach, and integrate emerging players like Nwaiwu into the team’s structure.
For Nwaiwu, the moment remains personal and symbolic, a reward for years of persistence and belief, and the beginning of what he hopes will be a sustained international career with the Super Eagles.
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