“I want a chance” – Almere City star who wants to compete with Ola Aina begs for Super Eagles spot

Almere City star Hamdi Akujobi has issued a heartfelt call to Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle, pleading for a chance to represent Nigeria and prove his worth in a position packed with quality, Soccernet.ng reports.

Born in Rotterdam to Nigerian parents, the versatile Almere City defender has long harboured dreams of donning the green and white of Nigeria.

The 25-year-old is eligible to play for either the Netherlands or the Super Eagles, but his heart, he says, lies firmly with the three-time African champions.

Akujobi was initially invited to Nigeria’s provisional squad for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup but did not make the final cut. Since then, the full-back has steadily climbed the football ladder in the Netherlands, earning accolades for his performances at both domestic and top-flight levels.

Hamdi Akujobi doing his thing for Almere in the Eredivise. pic.twitter.com/z2CJ8133c4

— Naija Ballers (@9ja_Ballers) September 29, 2024

After coming through the ranks at Feyenoord as a youngster and later making his senior debut at Heerenveen, Akujobi joined Almere City in 2022 when they were still in the Dutch second tier.

He starred in their promotion-winning campaign, scoring five goals in 34 league appearances and earning a place in the Eerste Divisie Team of the Year.

In the Eredivisie, Akujobi has not looked out of place. He made 23 appearances in the 2023/24 season, helping Almere City secure a 13th-place finish and preserve their top-flight status.

This season, he’s gone one better — featuring in 28 league games so far and scoring his first Eredivisie goal in a 2-2 draw against NEC Nijmegen in February.

Despite Almere City’s current struggles — they sit bottom of the Eredivisie and are battling to avoid relegation — Akujobi’s personal form has remained consistent. Now, he’s hoping that consistency earns him a long-awaited international breakthrough.

In a candid interview with EaglesTracker, Akujobi declared:

“I do (have the dream to play for the Super Eagles). I think I’m ready now at the moment.

“If you had asked me this question three years ago, it would not be as relevant as now. Because now, I have had a lot of games on my name. I’ve played week in, week out for three consistent years now. I’ve performed, showcased myself and I just think I can do it, to be honest.

“It’s not that I’m not playing, I want a chance to play but I’m actually playing on the highest level, the Eredivisie in Holland. I know what I’ve done and what I can still do. I think I can add something to the national team if I would get a chance.”

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While Akujobi is capable of playing in multiple positions — including central midfield, centre-back, right wing, and wingback — his primary role remains at right-back, where Nigeria already boasts top talents in Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest and Fenerbahce’s Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Akujobi, however, believes he can challenge the established duo and bring something new to the team.

“I love the competition (with Aina and Osayi-Samuel). I think it would make me even better. I just like competition. I have the passion and I know what I can do.”

When asked if he had a direct message for coach Chelle, Akujobi was passionate but humble:

“This is hard to say because I’m actually not a man of words. I just like to show. But as I said, I’m passionate about football. I’m willing to do everything, I’m willing to give my body and everything to play for the national team and wear the emblem of Nigeria.”

Coach Eric Chelle, who took over in January, is expected to rotate his squad and test new players during the upcoming Unity Cup in May.

Nigeria will face Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago in the friendly tournament, with their opener coming against Ghana’s Black Stars at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford on May 27.

Chelle has previously tested both Aina and Osayi-Samuel in recent World Cup qualifiers.

He may now have a decision to make, with Akujobi and Empoli full-back Tyronne Ebuehi — recently back from a long-term injury — also pushing for inclusion.

Following the Unity Cup, Nigeria will face Russia in an international friendly on June 5.