Ujpest of Hungary defender, Vincent Onovo has received strong words of commendation from Super Eagles’ coach, Gernot Rohr after just one training session with the Nigerian national team, megasportsarena.com reports.
Onovo was hastily called up to the Eagles’ camp in Austria due to the absence of key players in central defence and the youngster could jolly well get an unexpected first international cap against Cameroon on Tuesday at Stadion Weiner Neustadt, Vienna.
The 25-year-old Onovo, who previously played for Inter Turku and HJK Helsinki of Finland, with which he was registered as a midfielder, hit the ground running on arrival at the Eagles’ camp, ahead of Tuesday’s ‘rematch’ with the five-time African champions.
Though the chances of Onovo getting to feature in Tuesday’s international friendly depend on another centre back copping an injury, Rohr said he was actually satisfied with what he saw of the lad from the very first day he arrived in camp.
The Franco-German tactician went on to praise Onovo for accepting the late invitation that came on account of vice-captain, William Troost-Ekong bowing out during Friday’s 1-0 loss to the same opponent during another friendly match at same venue.
Troost-Ekong’s injury added to the earlier absences of Kenneth Omeruo, Semi Ajayi, Kevin Akpoguma and Leon Aderemi Balogun, such that Rohr was quick to admit that he opted to invite Onovo for the second friendly against Cameroon because he was short of central defenders.
Rohr admitted that the absences of Ola Aina and Tyronne Ebuehi further affected his balance in the back-four, as they are both comfortable playing on the right of a three-man defence, but he is now banking on some heroics from Onovo.
The new invitee, who helped Ujpest win the Hungarian Cup and made 29 starts in the top-flight, disclosed that he dreamt of playing for the Eagles and is delighted with his chance to play for the three-time African champions.
Onovo told allnigeriasoccer.com: “I arrived at the Super Eagles camp last night, the coach Gernot Rohr called the president of Ujpest and he permitted me to join the team in Austria.
“I feel great to be here with the national team, I hope to give my best if I am fielded and make sure we get a win tomorrow against Cameroon.”
Onovo’s presence now appears to have made the tactician happy, as Rohr declared: “He came because we didn’t have any defenders no more on the bench so we need him.”
