Nwankwo dreaming Super Eagles return after Serie B heroics
Super Eagles forward Simeone ‘Simy’ Nwankwo is dreaming a return to the Gernot Rohr tutored-side after impressing in the Italian Serie B last campaign.
The 28-year-old Nwankwo played a key role in helping Crotone secure promotion back to the Serie A after finishing second on the 2019-20 Serie B standings.
Nwankwo netted 20 times and he walked away with the Serie B’s Golden Boot award.
Interestingly, Nwankwo has not enjoyed invitation to the Nigeria national team since September 2018 after scoring just once in five previous appearances for the Super Eagles.
“When I went down, I knew the risks of losing that spot that I worked so hard to get to although I didn’t play more, which is perfectly understandable,” Nwankwo was quoted as saying to ESPN.
“I met a team that was already structured with one of the best African strikers at the moment – Odion Ighalo. And it was normal, it was perfect for me to stay calm and learn and then watch how things are done.
Nwankwo Simy is the first African player in the history of professional football in Italy to win top goalscorer
20 goals in Serie B
📈 stat via @CB_Ignoranza pic.twitter.com/KujCa7etHa
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) August 1, 2020
“And then all of a sudden, I found myself out again, which is understandable. No grudges on anyone. I understand every situation because the national team of Nigeria is highly rated.”
Nwankwo hopes Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr recalls now that he will be playing in the Serie A next season.
“So, if you want to be in the national team, you have to be in the big leagues. That I can understand. “So now we are back up. I just have to focus, like always, on what I will do here,” he added.
Congratulations to Crotone's Simy Nwankwo who eventually finished top scorer of Serie B having scored 20 goals in 37 goals. https://t.co/kTe4i75iuS
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) August 1, 2020
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“The only way I will get myself into the national team is about what I do here. This season, I’ve done well.
“That puts me in a good window to be looked into by the coaches and everybody that makes the decisions. I hope that in the future I will have my chance back again,” summed up Nwankwo, who was a member of Eagles’ squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.