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Nigeria call-up boosted my confidence – Alebiosu

By Daily Sports Nigeria on May 22, 2026

Super Eagles defender Ryan Alebiosu has reflected on the 2025/26 season, revealing that his national team invitation ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations boosted his confidence during a turbulent campaign in the Championship, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Alebiosu received his maiden call-up to the Nigerian team just before the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco, making his debut in the final group game against Uganda. His involvement, however, was limited to just one game due to a foot injury.

The 24-year-old played 39 of Blackburn Rovers’ 46 games in the EFL Championship, helping them remain in the second tier of English football. The club’s struggles were reflected in their 20th-place finish on the table, ending the season with 52 points, just five above the relegation zone.

Despite not featuring prominently during Nigeria’s campaign at the AFCON, the invitation alone meant a lot to the player.

“I think it was just a bonus. When I signed, I didn’t think much about getting an international call-up,” Alebiosu said in an interview with Blackburn Rovers’ YouTube channel.

“When it did happen, it was like a dream come true. For that to happen, it was one of the biggest highlights of my career, playing for my country and getting called up. It really made my season as well.

“When the international stuff happened, it just boosted my confidence even more. It made me realise there’s a lot that could still be done, and a lot has happened, but I am just grateful.

“It’s been brilliant as a team and getting called up for Nigeria is an honour.

“Getting that at the age of 23, which was during the second half of last season when I got the call-up, just gives me more hunger for next season.

“There’s still a lot to improve on, but it now gives me that belief that there’s more to bring to the table,” the Super Eagles defender added.

In an interview with PUNCH Sports Extra, Alebiosu noted that he was eager to impress again in the national team shirt, but he was surprisingly left out of Éric Chelle’s squad for the 2026 Unity Cup and the June friendlies against Portugal and Poland.

The defender scored one goal and provided five assists in 39 Championship games in the just-concluded season.

Source Punch Ng

Posted May 22, 2026