I will play penalty again for Nigeria – Oduko

Despite being the only on- field player who lost his penalty kick against Guinea,  that eventually made the Golden Eaglets to lose the Semi –  final clash 9-10 on penalties,  Ogaga Oduko has said he will never shy away from playing penalty again for Nigeria.

Oduko, an overlapping left full back in the team revealed that he never imagined that the penalty kicks will get to his turn and he was praying with his eyes closed when the penalties were been taken by his teammates.

He was still in the prayer mood when one of his teammates tapped him and informed me that it was his turn to take penalty for Nigeria.  He had no choice than to open his eyes and walked towards the penalty area,  but unfortunately,  he lost his kick.

“If there is another opportunity to play penalty again for Nigeria,  I will play without fear and I will score. My coaches have already told me not to be scared and they have given me the confidence to score. “Oduko told totorinews.com

“When I lost the penalty,  I felt very bad because i made my coaches to be sad and Nigerians too watching the game, he added.

He revealed further :”When they were playing the penalties, I was praying to God that the shoot out will end with five players on each side and that Nigeria should win. I was praying with my eyes closed.  I did not even know when it got to my turn.

“One of my teammates just tapped me on the shoulder that the coaches said I should go and play and I asked – has everyone played? and he said – yes,  that it was my turn. So, I had to play the penalty and sadly, I lost it and Guinea defeated us.

“But I will play penalty again for Nigeria and I will score. What happened that day was very scary for me.  Immediately I stood up to go and play the penalty,  the crowd shouted and I was scared. I can assure you that it is behind me now and if the opportunity comes again,  I will score my penalty for Nigeria,” he said.