What My Russian Coach Told Me About Nigeria – Idowu

Brian Idowu has revealed that his coach, Gadzhi Gadzhiyev, told him to ignore the Super Eagles and play for the Russian team.

The 25-year-old defender was eligible to play for Russia as he was born in the European  country to a Nigerian father and a partly-Russian mother.

Idowu, who plays for Amkar Perm in the Russian elite division, was in red-hot form for his side during the 2015/2016 season.

Speaking on Thursday, Idowu who scored in his debut for Nigeria in their 4-2 win over Argentina on Tuesday, said he was ignored by the Russian coach, Stanislav Cherchesov.

According to him, when Gernot Rohr contacted him that he (Rohr) was following his performance, he said it was impossible since he did not have a Nigerian passport.

“Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr contacted me and told me that he was  following me,” he told EPSN.

“He wanted to invite me to the squad, but that was impossible because I didn’t have a Nigerian passport.”

He also said his club coach “Gadzhiev said that such a call is not incidental, and I should keep progressing. He advised me to wait and see if I get called by Russia as well.

“I don’t see why I can’t play for Russia if I keep getting better, but they have good players like Mario Fernandes  in my position. They don’t miss me.

“As for why I’m not playing for Russia, I shouldn’t be asked this question. I want to go to the World Cup with Nigeria, because they believed in me.”