Williams eyes national U-23 call-up

I think I am capable of playing for the Super Eagles but I wish to start with the U-23 team, as this will afford me the opportunity to garner some experience. More players should be given more chances to prove themselves in the national team. Our National team handlers should give players like us the chance to prove ourselves in the national team.

After helping his Finnish team, Kuopion Palloseura (KuPS) Football Club, to qualify for next year’s UEFA Champions League, Nigeria-born Olajide Williams feels he can fight for shirt in the national U-23 team.

Williams, who has been plying his trade in Finland in the last three seasons, told The Guardian yesterday that he was ready to fight for a place in the national team if given the chance. He said: “I think I am capable of playin for the Super Eagles but wish to start with the U-23 team, as this will afford me the opportunity to garner some experience.

“For me, I believe more players should be given more chances to prove themselves in the national team, especially some of us that are playing in other leagues than Premiership, La Liga, Serie A and the Lique 1.

“I know that most of the coaches only focus on leagues that they are exposed without considering some of us that did not have the privilege of playing or starting in some of the top leagues.

There is no doubt that Nigerian players are doing well in the Finnish League because some of them are among the top players. So our national team handlers should try and give players like. us the chance to prove ourselves in the national team.”

The NPA former star, however, said his team’s qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League would afford him the opportunity to showcase himself to to teams in Europe, specifically England.

I am happy that my club will be playing in the UEFA Champions League next season,” he added. “I believe this will help me to prove myself and for the national team

handlers to see what I can do if given the chance to be part of the selection.”

He admitted that there was no much difference between playing abroad and at home, Stating: “The standard is not different, the only major exemption is that clubs in

Europe give priority to players’ Welfare, hich: is still a source of worry to the Nigeria Premier League.

‘It is not easy playing in Europe, especially in Finland, where the weather is not favourable to most African players. But I hope to move to England to continue my career in near future and | am confident that with hardwork and God’s grace, | will achieve my dream of playin for my dream club, Chelsea.

Williams’ team, KuPS FC, came second in the Finnish Premier League last season and will be campaigning in the lucrative. The club is based in the eighth most populated city of Finland, Kuopio.

KuPS holds the Finnish club record of the most consecutive seasons in the top flight, from 1949 to 1992, The team is fourth in the all-time Finnish Premier League honours table.