New Headline: Nigeria's Dreamers Triumph as Captain Fernández Guides Teams to Stellar Global Journey
[SNS] Rangers centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez has been rewarded for his impressive club form by receiving his first call-up for Nigeria. The 24-year-old, who joined from Peterborough on a four-year contract last summer, has been a key part of Danny Rohl's side as the Ibrox club have put themselves back into Scottish Premiership title contention. As well as excelling in his defensive duties, Fernandez has also been a threat at set-pieces, scoring six times in 26 games.
He could line up alongside former Rangers defender Calvin Bassey for Nigeria in their upcoming friendlies against Iran and Jordan. Nigeria failed to qualify for this summer's World Cup and reached the semi-finals of the recent Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, winger Rabbi Matondo, who has been out of the picture at Rangers for most of this term, is back in the Wales squad for their World Cup play-offs.
Craig Bellamy's side face Bosnia-Herzegovina in Cardiff on 26 March, with the winners hosting Italy or Northern Ireland in the final five days later.