Jamiu Collins Hits Camp Amidst Speculation Over His Fitness Level

SC Paderborn of Germany defender, Jamilu Collins finally landed at the Super Eagles’ camp in Garoua, Cameroon, but his arrival coincided with speculation over his level of fitness, megasportsarena.com reports.

Although Eagles’ interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen stated that the player’s late arrival in camp was due to some issues he had with his club, credible sources within the team insinuated that Collins is nursing a nagging injury.

Indeed, independent checks revealed that the former Portugal-based left-back has been inactive for 43 days, such that he might not get to play a single match at AFCON 2021, especially with Zaidu Sanusi and Ola Aina both in top form.

On the other hand, Collins has not featured for Paderborn since he was replaced at halftime in a 1-1 draw with Hansa Rostock on November 28 and was a non-playing substitute in the next three games, following which he also missed his club’s first two friendly matches of the new year, against Wolfsburg last week Tuesday and versus Verl four days.

Nonetheless, Collins became the 27th player to arrive at the Eagles’ camp, after linking up with his teammates in Garoua on Monday evening, while the players were already at Roumdé Adjia Stadium and he quickly joined up with the training session.

The players were showboating to the gallery during the time the media was present but they had an important tactical session afterwards, following which Eguavoen retorted: “He (Collins) had some issues with his club, it has been sorted out.”