TheCable

Chinedu Obasi scored a sweetly-headed goal in Schalke 04’s 4-3 win over Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Champions League and the striker would love to do same for his country if recalled to the Super Eagles.

The striker last played for the national team in the 3-1 loss to Argentina in September 2011 but speculation is rife in the media that he could be invited by interim coach, Shuaibu Amodu, for November’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo and South Africa.

“’I have not been in the Super Eagles for a long time but I hope they qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations,” he told SL10.ng.

“’We will see (if I’m invited) but it will be nice to be back in the team.”

In Tuesday’s Champions League game, Sporting opened scoring in the 16th minute from on-loan Manchester United winger, Nani, only for Obasi to level with a header from a free-kick by German-Nigerian wing-back Dennis Aogo in the 18th minute.

Before he was substituted in the 65th minute, Obasi set up Schalke’s second goal for Klass Jan Huntelaar in the 50th minute.

Obasi, who had arguably one of his best performances for the German side, was elated with his performance.

“I feel blessed and happy scoring my first goal in Europe and my overall performance because that’s what I pray and train for every day.”

“This is the Champions League. They (Sporting Lisbon) knew what was at stake and we too, but I thank God we emerged victorious because it was a hard one.

“I wouldn’t know the number of points we need to be certain of qualification because I don’t follow that but we take each game at a time.”

Schalke are second, behind Chelsea, with five points from three games in Group G.