Former coach of the the U20 team of Nigeria John Obuh says his decision to hand a call up to Semi Ajayi in 2013 played a role in his decision to commit his international future to Nigeria.
Obuh handed the West Brom defender his international football baptism while at the helm of the U20 team of Nigeria. He played in the 2013 Toulon Youth Championship.
Expected to start for Nigeria next month when they converge for their next set of friendly games, the 27 year old owe his rise in the senior national team of Nigeria to the bold decision of Obuh years ago.
“ I like him from the first time I saw him. He was very tall and also good in the air. Although he was young I wasn’t scared of playing him in the tournament. My decision to drop him from my team was because he wasn’t ready.
“ Semi can testify what I told him when I dropped him. The areas in his game that needed improvement were very clear and I told him to work on it. Today he is a star in the English Premier League. My decision to hand him a chance with my team made him available for Nigeria but many don’t know “, he told Owngoalnigeria.com.