After Brazil 2014 heartbreak, Joel Obi eyes seat on flight to Russia
TORINO midfielder, Joel Obi has set his sights on being at the World Cup this summer with Nigeria, reports BBC.
The 26-year-old was omitted from the last tournament in Brazil, but took a step closer to realising that ambition last month by playing in the Super Eagles two friendlies. Obi, currently on an injuryfree run with Italian side Torino, has scored six goals in 24 appearances this season and is keen to continue that consistency run for his country.
“This big tournament is the ultimate ambition of every professional footballer and I hope to work harder to fulfil that dream,” Obi, who made his Nigeria return last month after a four-year absence, told BBC Sport. “I was heartbroken for missing the World Cup in Brazil, but I now have another big opportunity four years later. “Coach [Gernot] Rohr has made it clear that everyone must earn their place in the team.
“That’s equally encouraging and challenging, so I’m looking forward to the competition for a spot.”
Regarded as one of Nigeria’s finest creative midfielders, Obi started his career at Italian giants, Inter Milan - where he rose from the youth set-up to the first team in 2010.
He rejected a chance to represent Italy at youth level before making his debut for Nigeria against Sierra Leone in February 2011.
Frequent injury spells in Italy restricted him to 15 appearances for the threetime African champions in eight years, but the 2011 Italian Cup winner is delighted to put his dark days behind him.
“I’ve had a period when injury robbed me of playing for my country but with Russia in mind, it would just be unbelievable to finally be playing at a major tournament for Nigeria,” he said. The midfielder feels he has been given a great opportunity to get into the Nigeria team after choosing them over Italy.
“I had a chance to play for the Italy youth side and potentially at a youth World Cup but I stood firm that Nigeria was definitely my future, 100 per cent. I want to play for the Super Eagles,” he insisted.