SC Paderborn of Germany left-back, Jamilu Collins has shot his mind back to his outing with Nigeria at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, and recounted how a stunning free-kick from Algeria’s Manchester City of England star, Riyadh Mahrez made him gape in amazement, megasportsarena.com reports.
Although many Nigerians continue blaming the Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi for poor position and slow reaction that enabled Mahrez slot home the last minute winner that stopped Nigeria from reaching the final in Cairo, Collins submitted that the former African Footballer of The Year simply struck a perfect ball home.
The former FK Rijeka of Croatia defender, however, consoled himself with a personally verdict that he put up his best performance so far for the Eagles in that encounter, even as he admitted it would have been better had they won the game and made it to the final.
The Eagles then went on to get a consolation by beating Tunisia in the third place match, which gave them a record extending eighth AFCON bronze medal overall, but Collins, who got his first Nigeria senior cap against Seychelles in October 2018, after previously starring for the youth side, Flying Eagles, believes he played his best game for his country so far in the semi-final loss to Algeria.
Collins told the Super Eagles media: “That game was awesome. We were almost through to the final, only for Riyadh Mahrez to score that late free-kick. I was at my best and it remains my best game so far in the colours of the Super Eagles. I pray for more better games though.”
BiG JOE@JohnsonjoebabaA