Netherlands Eredivisie side, ADO Den Haag Director of Football, Jeffrey van As, has admitted that everyone at the club was scared that Tyronne Ebuehi would not be selected in Nigeria’s 23-man World Cup squad.
In truth, van As has a point there as the right fullback had been struggling with a groin injury since March, which made him miss the last five games of the season, before he reported for international duty.
ADO Den Haag will be allocated N53.2 million while Benfica will receive N26.6 million from FIFA for the group stage alone following the inclusion of Ebuehi in the Super Eagles squad.
”In the winter we could have sold Ty. We thought: if we keep him, we can still get that World Cup compensation fee in addition to the training allowance,” van As told Voetbal International.
”When he got injured a while ago, we were afraid that he would not make it to the World Cup, then our plan had fallen apart. But it worked out just fine.”
He added : ”If a top club like Benfica signs him for five years, then that says something about his qualities. I also see him as one of the very good right backs in the Netherlands last season, but apparently the top clubs from the Eredivisie did not believe in him.
”As far as I am concerned, it is a shame that a talented boy like him is already going abroad”.
Ebuehi wore the Super Eagles jersey for the sixth time in his international career when he came off the bench in the 2-1 loss to England last weekend.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
