Former Super Eagles defender Juwon Oshaniwa has heaped praise on debutant Emmanuel Fernandez following his impressive performance and goal against Jordan, describing him as a valuable addition to the national team.
Fernandez, who plies his trade in Scotland, made an instant impact on his debut, scoring and showing composure that caught the attention of both fans and analysts.
For Oshaniwa, the performance was no surprise.
“The Scottish league is very competitive,” he noted, suggesting that playing in such an environment has helped shape Fernandez into a player capable of handling international football.
The former defender believes that Fernandez’s exposure to a physically demanding and tactically disciplined league makes him well-suited to the challenges of the Super Eagles setup.
“He will be important for the team,” he implied, expressing confidence in the player’s potential moving forward.
Despite the positives, Oshaniwa acknowledged that Nigeria’s defensive issues remain a concern, particularly the team’s inability to keep a clean sheet.
However, he urged patience.
“We are still a work in progress,” he said, emphasizing that rebuilding a solid defensive unit takes time.
For Oshaniwa, the focus should be on gradual improvement rather than immediate perfection.
He believes that integrating new players like Fernandez is part of that process, bringing fresh energy and competition into the squad.
The debutant’s goal and overall performance have already sparked optimism, with many seeing him as part of the next generation of players who could strengthen Nigeria’s defense.
As the Super Eagles continue their rebuilding phase, performances like Fernandez’s provide encouragement, signs that the team is moving in the right direction.
For fans, the emergence of new talent offers hope for the future.
And if Oshaniwa’s assessment is anything to go by, Emmanuel Fernandez could be one of the players to watch in the coming years.
