Gabriel Osho Dream Fulfilled

His first insight of Nigerian football was in 2015, when he was invited to the Golden Eaglets team. The Anglo-Nigerian however did not get a look at it until March this year when erstwhile Super Eagles Coach, Finidi George invited him for friendly matches against Ghana and Mali, but injury denied him of donning the green and white colours of Nigeria. However, ahead of the concluding matches of the AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda, Gabriel Osho fulfilled his international dream of playing for the three-time African champions

AJ Auxerre defender, Gabriel Osho has expressed his excitement at the opportunity to represent Nigeria’s Super Eagles in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic on Thursday and Rwanda on Monday.

The British-Nigerian initially received a call-up to feature in Nigeria’s double header friendlies against Ghana and Mali in Morocco under the former coach Finidi George. However, an unexpected injury just days before the match prevented him from making his debut.

Ahead of Nigeria’s concluding 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Augustine Eguavoen has named the Auxerre defender as a replacement for Semi Ajayi, who is sidelined due to injury.

Reflecting on his previous missed opportunity, Osho expressed his gratitude at finally being able to join the national team this time.

“I’ve been invited before but I couldn’t come because of injury and one or two other things,” he shared. “But when this time came, everything kind of aligned. So grateful to God that when the time came, I could finally join the team.”

Osho also pledged his full commitment to giving his best in representing Nigeria, acknowledging the high expectations from fans.

“I’m just going to work as hard as I can. I believe that is what every fan is going to expect from every single player here. Everyone is talented to be here. So as long as everyone works hard.”

The former Luton Town defender has however been left in awe of talents in the Super Eagles squad.

The AJ Auxerre defender has revealed he’s been stunned by the amount of talent in the current crop of the senior Nigerian football team.

Following Luton Town’s relegation from the English top-flight, the 26-year-old joined French Ligue 1 side, AJ Auxerre and has been impressive for them this season, playing all nine games to help L’AJA to ninth place on the French table.

His solid performances saw him seal another invite to the Nigerian national team, and the talent in the team has wowed the ex-Reading man.

“All you have to do is look at the frontline; you see the names of all the players that are here and the ones who could not be selected for the squad this time, the country is full of talented players.

“So it’s very competitive to get a call up, and like I said, it’s a great honour for me because I know there are so many great players from Nigeria that aren’t here,” the ex-Rochdale man said in an interview with the NFF Media.

Osho and his ex-teammate, Elijah Adebayo expressed their desire to play for the Super Eagles last season, but the Luton Town striker is yet to receive a call-up as he’s struggling in the EFL Championships this season.

Osho has committed his international future to Nigeria over his country of birth England and landed in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Monday ahead of the cap-tying game for the three-time African champions.

Born and raised in Reading, the central defender has confirmed that he is qualified to play for the Super Eagles by virtue of being born to a Nigerian father and mother who are natives of Lagos. 

Despite holding dual nationality, it is believed that Osho prioritised playing for Nigeria instead of England, given he was invited to attend a Golden Eaglets training camp in 2015.

Osho was handed his first call-up to the Super Eagles for their internationals in March 2024 against West African rivals Ghana and Mali, following his exploits with Luton Town in the Premier League.

The 26-year-old has confirmed that he was unfortunately unable to play his first matches with the Super Eagles eight months ago due to injury.

A serious hamstring injury suffered by another English-born centre-back, Semi Ajayi opened the door for Osho to be recalled to the national team for the competitive matches against Benin’s Cheetahs and Rwanda’s Wasps.

In an interview with the Super Eagles media team, Osho said: “My name is Gabriel Osho, defender for Auxerre and the Super Eagles. Both my parents were born in Lagos, I am happy to be here.

“I have been invited before but I couldn’t come because of injury and one or two other things, but when this time came, I could finally join up with the team.”

Osho was on parade for 46 minutes against Benin Republic on Thursday and has vowed to give his best if selected again for Monday’s game against Rwanda. He is impressed with the quality of players in the Super Eagles squad, especially the attack, which includes the likes of Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman, and Kelechi Iheanacho.

“I’ll just work as hard as I can. That’s what the fans can expect from every single player here, everyone is talented enough to be here.

“All you have to do is look at the frontline, you’ll see the names and all the players. The players that are here and the players that couldn’t be selected in the squad this time, the country is full of talented players.

“To get a call-up is a great honour for me because I know there are so many great players from Nigeria that are not here at the moment.”

Osho had his first training with the national team on Tuesday evening.