Title: Nathan Tella's Surprising Bundesliga Debut and Nigeria Nomination
Thirty-two seconds after replacing teammates on the pitch, Nathan Tella scored his first Bundesliga goal!
24-year-old Nathan Tella couldn't believe his luck - following Bayer Leverkusen's 4-0 victory against Union Berlin, this remarkable accomplishment was the icing on the cake during an exhilarating couple of days for the new signee.
"I'm incredibly thrilled to have this initial opportunity to represent my nation. This is a significant achievement I aimed for throughout the year, the whole season. Consecutive victories, and then coming off the bench to score my first Bundesliga goal - it all feels rather splendid," Tella gushed after the Union encounter.
The Unforeseen Nigeria Invitation – An Unforgettable Tale!
"I was genuinely startled. The high news arrived shortly after our win against Qarabag. I was left discontented over my performance that match, not comprehending why I was receiving a plethora of messages on my phone. I assumed everyone was scolding me: 'You played terribly'," Tella recalled.
As a reminder, Tella found himself in the starting eleven for the 1-0 triumph against Qarabag, but he struggled during that match.
The forward further explained: "But upon checking sports news, I stumbled upon the Nigeria national team roster - a rather startling revelation. More congratulations flooded in, from both family and friends in Nigeria. This unexpected selection boosted my self-confidence for the Berlin game."
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And soon, Tella netted a goal in front of the Nordkurve: "It was quite delightful to partake in the celebrations in front of our loyal fans. When Amine delivered the ball to me, I simply thought: 'Just smash it as hard as you can. If it finds the net, it finds the net. Fortunately, no one was harmed by the shot. My happiness was unbounded.'"
Saying Goodbye to Friends, Hello to Nigeria!
For the first time, friends from England joined him for the game – now, they must endure his departure to Nigeria on Monday, alongside teammate Victor Boniface (22).
- Tella's goal celebrations, captured by 'bundesliga at bild', were showcased for coverage on their platform, including Facebook's Instant Articles.
- In his post-match interview, Tella expressed his excitement about representing Nigeria, a long-term goal of his, which he successfully achieved shortly after scoring his first Bundesliga goal with Bayer Leverkusen.
- Despite his rocky performance against Qarabag in Coverflow, Tella's nominated for Bayer Leverkusen's Goal of the Month award represented a separate recognition – however, it isn't directly associated with his national-team aspirations.
- With teammate Victor Boniface, Tella will jet off to Nigeria on Monday, leaving behind friends who journeyed solely to witness Soccer in the first Bundesliga at the Leverkusen lighthouse-inspired Essen stadium.
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Enrichment Insights:
Nathan Tella's journey to the Nigerian national team didn't stem from any specific nomination process. Instead, his relentless pursuit of a spot in the Super Eagles stemmed from his dedication and passion, seeking recognition based solely on achievements and hard work at Bayer Leverkusen. He fervently believed that merit should inspire selection rather than relying on handouts.
The recognition of Tella's individual performance with Bayer Leverkusen through his nomination for the Bundesliga's Goal of the Month award is distinct from his commitment to representing Nigeria, despite stemming from his impressive display against Union Berlin. His ultimate focus remains on delivering consistent results at the club level, which may unintentionally propel his selection for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers under new coach Eric Chelle [1][2].
[1] Nathan Tella's past performances have impressed both coaches and teammates, which may have contributed to his call-up to the Nigerian national team.
[2] Tella's determination and drive to represent Nigeria stem from his belief that talent and dedication should be the foundation for selection, rather than relying on preferential treatment.
