Awaziem Declares Himself ‘Good To Go’ For Eagles Versus Guinea Bissau

Alayanspor of Turkey defender, Chidozie Awaziem has declared himself ‘good to go’ for Nigeria’s last group game against Guinea Bissau at the Africa Cup of Nations, megasportsarena.com reports.

Although he has trained fully with the Super Eagles for only two days, after recovering from a bout with illness and an ankle injury, Awaziem believes he can fit into the scheme of things for their upcoming midweek cracker.

Heading into the 8pm kick-off in Garoua, Cameroon, the former FC Porto and Boavista of Portugal, FC Nantes of France, Rizespor of Turkey and Leganes of Spain versatile player is now angling for a place in the Nigerian squad.

The dreadlocks-wearing defender insists he has overcome the fitness and illness issues that have bedeviled him since arriving at the Eagles’ camp in Abuja and spilled over into their base in Garoua, Cameroon.

However, the worst might be over for the dreadlocks-wearing lad, as he was spotted in full team training on Monday, in anticipation of getting a space in an expected new-look starting 11 that Eagles’ interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen could roll out for Wednesday’s match.

He will, however, have to wait on the decision by Eguavoen, who has the privilege and luxury of either sticking with his starting line-up from their first two matches or tinkering with his squad for the dead rubber clash.

After returning to the public view for the first time in Garoua, Awaziem admitted that his fate is in the hands of the coach, especially as he acknowledged that the players have done well in his absence, but stressed that he is ready to fit into the game at any point in time.

The soft-spoken full-back-cum-central defender, who helped Nigeria finish third in the last AFCON in Egypt, where he played six matches, including five starts, went on to reveal that he was in good spirits during his spell on the sidelines, as the Eagles won two matches and he is confident they can maintain their one hundred percent record on Wednesday night.

Awaziem stated: “I didn’t feel bad, I was happy because the team was winning. I was motivated by the players and I’m so happy the way we are going in the competition.

“Everything is good. I feel happy, I am very good now. I had a little knock and I was doing recovery with the physios, right now I am back.

“Hopefully, It’s the decision of the coach but I know right now I’m good to go. Everyone is ready, every game is important so we are going to go for victory.”