NIGERIA Football Federation Amaju Pinnick was on hand on Saturday to watch Oghenekaro Etebo’s first training session with Watford, using the occasional to call for more co-operation with the club and others in Europe.
Super Eagles midfielder Etebo joined the newly promoted Premier League club on loan from Stoke City on Thursday, teaming up with five other Nigerians at the Hornets.
“Watford FC is gradually becoming a Super Eagles camp,” Pinnick said as he met with Watford’sTechnical Director Cristiano
Giaretta.
“I told Mr Giaretta that we have six players at Watford FC now and three of them are regular Super Eagles stars and therefore we need to forge a stronger relationship with the club.
Watford is
returning to the Premier League in the coming season, so it is a good feeling all around.”
Apart from Etebo,Watford are also home to William Ekong, forward Emmanuel Dennis, former junior internationals Isaac Success and Tom Dele-Bashiru, and little-known
Dapo Mebude.
Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo is also regarded as a Watford hero after helping the club gain promotion to the Premier League in 2014/2015, scoring 20 goals in the Championship. Overall, he scored 40 goals in 100 appearances for Watford.
“It is important to build these relationships,” Pinnick added.
“I am scheduled to meet with the Club President and CEO of Watford FC in the coming weeks, and I also plan to meet with the CEOs of Leicester and Everton FC. We are
looking ahead to the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2021 AFCON taking place early next year, and relationships, understanding and mutual respect are key elements in the mix of release and return of players.”
The NFF president took pictures with five of the Nigerian players at Watford, with only Isaac Success missing.
