It is no longer news that Super Eagles fullback Jamilu Collins put pen to paper for English Championship side Cardiff City this week. The Kaduna born fullback said: “I’m really excited to be in Cardiff, and I can’t wait to get started. "
This is marriage made in heaven.
Cardiff have acquired a seasoned top notch Nigeria international full back while Collins can continue his impressive career in a top European leagues.
This augurs well for the Super Eagles left full back position because it means that in the 2022-23 season, Nigeria will have 3 known left fullbacks in reputable European leagues ready to be deployed at the drop of a hat (because I don’t expect all 3 of them to be injured at the same time).
According to footballrankings.com, the top 33 leagues compilation in the world has Nigeria’s top 3 left fullbacks playing in the following order:
– Zaidu Sanusi: Portuguese Primera Liga is ranked as the 6th best league. – Jamilu Collins: English Championship is ranked 11th best league. – Calvin Bassey: the Scottish Premier League is ranked the 19th best league.
As the Super Eagles navigate a period of restoration and recovery, it is safe to say that the team’s left fullback position is sorted.
Jose Peseiro is inheriting a team with great possibilities across the park.
Without the distraction of the Qatar world cup, he should have the time and breathing space to mould a formidable outfit for Nigeria’s Afcon campaign next summer.
I definitely expect Jamilu Collins to play a huge part in the team’s reconstruction into the formidable force that it should be.
He has been overlooked for June/July friendlies in favour of Sanusi, Bassey and some home based players.
But I have no doubt that once the Championship league commences next season and Collins has a healthy number of games under his belt, he will beguile his way back into Super Eagles contention.
My only worry for him is that new coaches tend to want to “discover” their own players as part of their own enduring legacy. Rohr discovered Collins.
No matter how well Collins performs in the English Championship, if Jose Peseiro discovers his own left full back options, Collins will be frozen out.
Peseiro will come with his own ideas, vision and subjective preferences. It only remains to be seen whether a fit, flying and firing Collins will fit into Peseiro’s plans.
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