Babalola Oluwatomiwa
Social Member
Nigeria and Dynamo Kiev midfielder Lukman Haruna has said that he is optimistic of making the Super Eagles team to the 2014 World Cup.
The 23-year old last played in the Super Eagles jersey at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and has not been invited to the team since then.
Despite not being invited by Samson Siasia and now Stephen Keshi, Haruna expressed confidence that his performance at the club level should guarantee him a World Cup spot.
"I understand my injury history had a role to play for a period of time but I'm in great shape right now," Haruna told BBC Sport.
"It's not an easy job for a coach to manage Nigeria with a lot of quality players in Europe, Asia and Africa.
"I just hope I've done enough at club level to be given a chance to fight for a place in the squad."
"When I played in South Africa I was very young and a little inexperienced," he said.
"Since then there have been highs and lows in my career but I'm more mature and hope to fulfill a dream by working extra hard to earn a recall.
"It's a massive two months for me to prove myself again because if it goes well then I'll have another chance."
The midfielder scored three goals in 15 league appearances for Dynamo Kiev last season and has a solitary goal in seven appearances for Nigeria.
Haruna is one of only two players to have represented Nigeria at the FIFA under-17, U-20 and senior World Cups.
He signed for Ukraine's Dynamo Kiev in June 2011 after completing a US$2.8 million switch from Monaco.
The 23-year old last played in the Super Eagles jersey at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and has not been invited to the team since then.
Despite not being invited by Samson Siasia and now Stephen Keshi, Haruna expressed confidence that his performance at the club level should guarantee him a World Cup spot.
"I understand my injury history had a role to play for a period of time but I'm in great shape right now," Haruna told BBC Sport.
"It's not an easy job for a coach to manage Nigeria with a lot of quality players in Europe, Asia and Africa.
"I just hope I've done enough at club level to be given a chance to fight for a place in the squad."
"When I played in South Africa I was very young and a little inexperienced," he said.
"Since then there have been highs and lows in my career but I'm more mature and hope to fulfill a dream by working extra hard to earn a recall.
"It's a massive two months for me to prove myself again because if it goes well then I'll have another chance."
The midfielder scored three goals in 15 league appearances for Dynamo Kiev last season and has a solitary goal in seven appearances for Nigeria.
Haruna is one of only two players to have represented Nigeria at the FIFA under-17, U-20 and senior World Cups.
He signed for Ukraine's Dynamo Kiev in June 2011 after completing a US$2.8 million switch from Monaco.
Last edited by a moderator: