Nigeria right back Tyronne Ebuehi says he is “very very proud” to be living his dreams of playing at the FIFA World Cup when the 2018 tournament starts in Russia this week.
Ebuehi was born in the Hague to a Nigerian father and Dutch mum some twenty two years ago and only last year decided to represent his fatherland, making his national team debut during a friendly tour of Corsica.
The ADO Den Haag academy graduate has been included in Gernot Rohr’s final squad for the global football fiesta and he is expected to make his competitive debut for the Super Eagles during the tournament.
“I am very very proud of course to be part of the team,” said Ebuehi to www.aclsports.com
“I think it’s a dream for every footballer (to play at the World Cup). Now I’m here, so it’s a dream come true.”
Ebuehi has wormed his way into the heart of Nigerian football fans in recent weeks after his impressive displays in high-profile friendly matches for the Super Eagles.
He was a second half substitute in the games against Argentina (last November) as well as against Poland and more recently England and Czech Republic. The Wembley experience meant a lot to him.
“I know there are a lot of Nigerians in London especially but we were playing in such a big stadium against a great team, England so I think it was a lifetime experience in Wembley, one of the biggest stadiums in the world.
“To play there was a great honour,” posited Ebuehi.
The Netherlands, Ebuehi’s country of birth will be missing out on World Cup participation for the second time in five editions. The Dutchs were missing from the 2002 tournament in Korea & Japan and will be missing once again in Russia.
Ebuehi speaks about representing Holland in Russia alongside his fellow half-Dutch William Troost-Ekong.
“Oh yeah, of course the first thing is Nigeria but we read a lot in the newspapers that we are one of the few Dutch people going to the World Cup. In some ways it’s nice but I’m playing for Nigeria and my focus is on Nigeria,” added Ebuehi.
Having steamrolled over a difficult qualifying group, things seem to have changed quickly and Nigeria have now failed to win any of their past four friendly games. The turn of results has bred growing anxiety among the team’s fans but Ebuehi encouraged their supporters to keep supporting them.
“I’ll advise them just to support us, pray for us and stay behind the team no matter what.
“We will do you guys proud,” he concluded to www.aclsports.com
The Super Eagles will leave their Austria camp base for Russia on Monday ahead of their Group D opener in Kaliningrad on Saturday.
