I cried day I got Super Eagles call-up – Fago News

AFCON 2025 debutant and Viktoria Plzen forward Salim Fago opens up about his first Africa Cup of Nations, training alongside Nigeria’s finest, his move to Czech football, and more in this interview with PETER AKINBO

Where were you when you got the news that you would be part of Nigeria’s AFCON squad, and how did you feel?

I was at home, and honest to God, I cried because it had been my dream to get called up to the national team, and I couldn’t hold back tears. I was so happy. It is something I have worked so hard for, and to finally see it happen, the emotions just took over. It is the kind of moment you dream about as a young player, and when it finally arrives, it feels unreal. I will never forget that day.

For me, it’s a dream come true when you see some players on TV, and now you get to train alongside them. It’s a dream come true. This is football; everyone who was with me in camp is a top player, and everyone in the team can handle high-level pressure. The players have so much quality that I can’t even say it all. We all know the quality of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and others.

What was your relationship like with two of Africa’s finest players, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman?

They treated me very nicely, I think they took me like a brother. They talked to me, advised and encouraged me. It was a nice experience to learn from the top players of my country that I usually watch on TV and to share the same dressing room with them.

I want to say a very big thank you to Nigerians for all the support. We, the new players in the team, felt the love, and we will do our best with our chances. The messages I received from people back home, from fans I don’t even know personally, were just overwhelming. It showed me how much the Super Eagles mean to Nigerians, and that gave me extra motivation. When you know an entire nation is behind you, it pushes you to want to do more, to be more. I really felt that support, and I carry it with me. We will not let the fans down.

I cannot be disappointed at all. The playing time was not my decision. It’s not about getting the minutes for now. I was very happy to be there; that was the main thing. Being able to learn from the best. And when it is my turn, I have to do my best with it.

I think one thing I have learnt in my little career now is that this is football, we win, we lose. Anything can always happen. But beyond the results, just being in that environment every single day was priceless. Watching how the top players prepare, how they handle pressure, how they carry themselves professionally, that alone is an education you cannot get anywhere else. I came back a better player and a more mature person. I know what is expected at that level now, and that knowledge will push me to work even harder so that the next time I am there, I am ready to make a real impact.

It is a different stage entirely. Coming from club football, you have to raise your level immediately because every player in that tournament is quality. For me, it was about staying focused and adapting as quickly as possible. I think the experience has pushed me to want to be even better so that next time I am ready to contribute more when my chance comes.

How do you see playing in Africa compared to playing abroad?

It is very different. African football has a kind of intensity and passion that is hard to describe until you experience it. The atmosphere from the fans, the way the game is played, is fierce and physical. Compared to what I am used to in Europe, it gave me a different perspective, and I think it will only make me a better player.

How have you enjoyed your start at Viktoria Plzen?

It has been nice settling in. I knew Viktoria primarily from their performances in European competitions, where they have achieved strong results over a long period. This move really interested me, and I see it as a step forward in my career. Everyone at the club has been welcoming, and I just want to help as much as possible and keep growing.