The Dynamo Kiev midfielder hopes to be recalled into the national team to prove he is worthy of a shirt at the World Cup
Midfielder Haruna Lukman has asked for national
team selectors to give him an opportunity to prove himself as Nigeria
prepare for the World Cup in June.The Dynamo Kiev man last played for the Super Eagles at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where he was one of the standout performers in a largely lacklustre squad.
However, the 23-year-old has not been called back since Stephen Keshi took over the helm just as he was overlooked by previous trainer Samson Siasia.
Haruna was the captain of Nigeria’s victorious U17 side that won the Fifa U17 World Cup in 2007 in South Korea. He also led the U20 team to a second round finish at the 2009 U20 World Cup in Egypt.
Having scored three goals in 15 matches thus far in the Ukrainian top flight, the lad believes an increasingly bigger impact at his club will be key to catching the eye of the national team coach.
“I have to be more focused in what I do in my club, the most important thing is to play well for my club and see if I will be called back to the national team,” Lukman told Lagos-based TVC.
“If I get the chance to be called back into the national team, I will be very happy.
“I would love to play under Keshi. He’s like a father and a mentor. He’s a man who has brought discipline to the national team,” he said.
Keshi has reiterated that he still has an opening for players like Peter Odemwingie, Taye Taiwo and Haruna who have been shut out of the national team since 2012. --------------- goal.com
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