Jamilu Collins, a defender for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, has recovered from a season-long anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered while playing for his club, Cardiff City. In an interview with thenff.com at the Cardiff City Training Ground in Cardiff, Wales, Collins expressed his gratitude to the President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, for his support during his recovery.

Collins revealed that the injury was his first-ever career injury and it was a difficult rehabilitation and recovery period for him. “I have never suffered any injury since I started playing football professionally, and to go through a whole nine months without football was a torrid period for me,” he said.

However, Collins expressed his happiness at being back in the game and starting personal training. He likened his injury experience to getting a new knee, stating that “the ACL injury experience was terrible, and when treatment started, it was like I got a new knee.”

Collins also expressed his gratitude to the NFF leadership, including the President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, the General Secretary, Dr. Sanusi, Coach Jose Peseiro, Super Eagles’ Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor, and his Super Eagles teammates for their support during his recovery. “I want to appreciate the new NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau; the General Secretary, Dr. Sanusi; Coach Jose Peseiro, Super Eagles’ Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor, and my Super Eagles’ teammates for reaching out and showing me love during this period. It all mattered so much to me, and I’m grateful,” he said.

Collins has won 25 caps for the Nigeria senior team and was part of the bronze medal-winning squad at the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt in 2019. His return to fitness is a boost for the Super Eagles as they prepare for upcoming international fixtures.

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