Çaykur Rizespor midfielder Ibrahim Olawoyin has shared his feelings after making his Super Eagles debut last month, according to Soccernet.ng.
Following a successful season in Turkey's top flight, where he scored eight goals, Olawoyin received an invitation to the Super Eagles camp ahead of Nigeria's 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June.
On June 7, the 26-year-old midfielder watched from the bench as Nigeria played to a 1-1 draw with South Africa's Bafana Bafana in Uyo.
However, Olawoyin made his Super Eagles debut three days later in a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in Abidjan. Despite Club Brugge's Raphael Onyedika scoring first, the Super Eagles were trailing when Olawoyin entered the pitch.
The former Enugu Rangers player replaced Samuel Chukwueze, who had assisted Nigeria's only goal. Unfortunately, Olawoyin's presence did not change the outcome, as Benin secured their first senior victory over the Super Eagles.
The unexpected defeat jeopardized Nigeria's chances of qualifying for the next World Cup. Coach Finidi George, who handed Olawoyin his international debut, resigned just a month after his appointment as head coach.
Three weeks after his international debut, Olawoyin returned to Turkey from his holiday and expressed his disappointment over the loss to Benin. Despite the setback, he remains proud to have fulfilled his dream of playing for Nigeria.
“Back to base after a memorable summer. Honoured to wear the country’s badge, though saddened by the result. The future starts now,” Olawoyin wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Olawoyin joined Rizespor in January 2023 after spending 18 months with another Turkish club, Ankara Keçiörengücü, having signed from Enugu Rangers in 2021.