Kingsley Aniagboso ready to impress with Nigeria on first senior call-up

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Kingsley Aniogboso says he is ready to defend the post for Nigeria after his first call-up to the Nigeria senior national team ahead of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers doubleheader with Guinea Bissau.

The Nigeria goalkeeper goalie who impressed at the 2023 U-20 AFCON with the Flying Eagles can’t hold his joy during his first day in Super Eagles camp.

Aniagboso is one of the two players from the Flying Eagles, after an impressive outing at the just concluded African U-20 Championship in Egypt with captain, Daniel Bameyi who also earned his first Super Eagles invitation.

And the 18-year-old, who is in shock over his call-up to the senior team, pledges to grab his chance with both hands.

“I feel good, I feel happy. I want to learn and if anything happens I have to play and defend the post for Nigeria,” Aniagboso told media.

“I’m here to learn, I am here to improve myself but if the chance is given to me I have to do my best to help the team. I am surprised but I’m always positive. It’s my dream.

“When I was in Egypt I know the next step is here so I put every effort to make it to this place but I wasn’t expecting it this time, so I’m surprised.”

The Giant Brillas save hands kept five of Nigeria’s six games at U-20 AFCON in Egypt conceding only a goal against The Gambia in the semi-final defeat, keeping clea sheets against Egypt, Mozambique, Uganda, and Tunisia.

In the Afcon qualifiers, table-toppers Nigeria are on maximum of six points from their defeats of Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe after its first two games, with its opponent, the Djurtus in second place on four points from their defeat of Sao Tome and Principe and draw with the Leone Stars.