Super Eagles latest invitee, Calvin Ughelumba Bassey, has revealed it was his mother’s dream for him to represent the three-time African champions.
Bassey, who plays for Rangers, was handed his maiden Nigeria call-up by coach Gernot Rohr.
The 21-year-old who can play as a left-back or centre-back, is among the 23 players invited for this month’s 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against the Central African Republic.
Despite being eligible to play for Italy or England, the youngster opted to grant his mother her wish.
“My mother played a huge role in making me decide on playing for Nigeria,” Bassey said as quoted by OwnGoalNigeria .
“It has been her dream and I am glad she is alive to see it come to pass. If all goes well, she will likely follow me to Nigeria to see me in the colours of the team she loves for the first time.”
Nigeria will host CAR on October 7, before playing them away three days later.