After getting his international clearance to appear for the Nigerian national team, Shola Ameobi has revealed his excitement at getting the call to play against Venezuela on Wednesday in an international friendly match.
“I’m really excited about it and hopefully I can go and meet up with the rest of the guys and see where we go from here,” Ameobi revealed.
“My focus right now is getting through this week and really looking forward to the game next weekend against Swansea,” he added.
The 31-year old also revealed his lingering desire to make an international career.
“You’d be a fool if you didn’t want to play at the very highest level and certainly I’m no fool.
“I want to play at the top as every other player does – that’s what drives me and that’s why I’m still here wanting to play in the Premier League.
“Newcastle United will always be No 1 for me, that is the bread and butter so that is something we’ll look at.
“But he [Alan Pardew] is delighted for me, as you’d expect because he wants a squad full of internationals here. He’s happy for me.
“I’m really excited. Nigeria is where I’m from, that’s my heritage and I’ve never forgotten my roots. The majority of my family are from Nigeria and they’re really excited about this.
“My parents are really, really happy but they would have supported me either way. It’s a case of better late than never,” he concluded.
