On loan FC Porto defender Chidozie Awaziem says his aim with the senior national team of Nigeria is to force his way into the starting lineup in his preferred position in central defence.
Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr has relied heavily on the central defence pairing of Leon Balogun and William Troost Ekong for the five years he has been with the team.
Awaziem stole a spot at the 2019 AFCON but he was played out of a position as a right back and even though he didn’t disappoint his aim still remain to break the famous Oyibo Wall pairing of Balogun and Ekong.
The defender who has impressed mightily at Boavista where he is on loan from Porto said he is ready now more than ever to break the monopoly of the duo in central defence.
“ You’re happy when you win as a team but deep down inside you want to play as well. As much as I am happy to play anywhere for the good of the team like I did at the last AFCON. My aim is to play in central defence”, he told Owngoalnigeria.com.
On his second red card in nine games which he picked up over the weekend against Boavista, Awaziem said it’s about what can happen at times when you’re charged for a game.
“ I put my hands up because I should have done better no doubt but it does happen and I have to move on from it. Truly it hurts but it’s also a learning curve for me”.
