Micheal Atata has described his maiden Super Eagles invitation as one of the proudest and most emotional moments of his football career.
The Ikorodu City F.C. goalkeeper admitted he initially struggled to believe the national team call-up was real after receiving the news from one of the assistant coaches.
Read Also: NPFL Champions Rangers Must Keep Top Players To Compete In CAF — Fidelis Ilechukwu Warns
“At first, I thought it wasn’t real,” Atata said.
According to the goalkeeper, the reality of the invitation only fully sank in after he processed the moment properly.
“It took some time before I finally accepted it,” he implied.
Atata also revealed that representing Nigeria at senior international level has always been a major personal dream.
“It’s one of the proudest moments of my life,” he noted.
The goalkeeper stressed that the Super Eagles squad remains determined to win every match at the upcoming Unity Cup despite recent disappointments surrounding the national team.
“Our target is to win every game,” he added.
Atata believes the competition offers Nigeria another opportunity to remind Africa of the country’s football pedigree despite missing out on the FIFA World Cup.
“We still want to show why Nigeria is one of Africa’s top football nations,” he stressed.
The Unity Cup is expected to feature several fresh faces as coach Eric Chelle continues evaluating players ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
“This tournament could open doors for many players,” many football observers believe.
For Atata, the message is clear.
Dreams can become reality.
National team opportunities must be cherished.
And the Super Eagles remain determined to compete strongly.
Because representing Nigeria remains one of the highest honours in African football.
