Reading FC midfielder, Hope Akpan, has revealed that Hull City star, Sone Aluko, provided him with all the needed information ahead of his arrival at the Super Eagles camp for this weekend’s Nations Cup qualifying clash against Sudan.
The Royals’ midfielder, who was an early bird in the national team’s camp, said: “It felt great when I heard the news.
“I’m not too sure what to expect, but I’ve spoken to a few people about it.
“Sone Aluko up at Hull has been involved in the past and he was filling me in with the dos and don’ts.
“He said it was a good set-up and to go there and enjoy myself.”
On his surprise call up, Akpan said: “I got a phone call out of the blue.
“Nigeria let the club know and they passed the news on to me.
“It was very special.
“The phone call I made to my dad was good.
“He was very proud so it was a happy moment.
“Everyone wants to play at the highest level and that’s what international level is.
“For me, it’s very exciting and I want to do really well.”
Despite missing the 3-1 defeat at Brentford due to an ankle injury, Akpan insists he will be fit for Nigeria’s game in Sudan on Saturday and the return match in Abuja next Wednesday.
“It was just a knock on my ankle that flared up at Leeds,” he said.
“I just jarred it a bit, but it’s not too bad.
“By Saturday, it will have settled right down.”
Reading manager, Nigel Adkins, agreed that the injury was not serious enough for Akpan to miss linking up with his national side.
Adkins said: “It’s a minor thing. There’s no issue there at all.
“And even if we said he was injured, he would still have to turn up so that their medical people could assess him and make their judgement on it.
“It’s Hope’s first call-up anyway so it will be a great experience for him over there.
“He’s really improved and he’s been getting a good understanding going with Oliver Norwood this season.
“It’s great for him to be involved with Nigeria.”
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