TheCable

Hearts defender, Juwon Oshaniwa, has disclosed he has been reassured by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that his international career is not in jeopardy.

The left-back, who joined Hearts in August from FC Ashdod of Israel, last played for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the 2-2 draw with South Africa last November as the team failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria have changed coaches since then and are now under the stewardship of Sunday Oliseh. However, the former captain of the national team overlooked Oshaniwa when naming his squad for the friendlies against Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday and Cameroon on Sunday in Belgium.

But the player is unperturbed.

“People from the national team, from the management board, have been in contact with me,” he told the Evening News.

“They have been talking to me so I’m not disturbed. They said: ‘Just keep doing your stuff; it’s not as if you’ve been forgotten. You will always be reckoned with when the time comes.’ That keeps me strong.

“I will keep doing what I know how to do. You can see every time I’m on the pitch, I’m on there, giving 100 percent. I will keep doing this and see what the future holds for me. At any time, any moment, I’m always ready.”

The 25-year-old, who was one of the stand-out players for the Super Eagles during the last World Cup, has won 17 international caps.