Stephen Eze says he is happy with his inclusion in Super Eagles squad for this month friendly against Poland and has set his sights on securing a place in Nigeria’s squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The Lokomotiv Plovdiv defender had a stunning performance at the Africa Nations Championship held in Morocco in January and is ecstatic to have made the 23-man squad that made into camp on Monday in the Polish city of Wroclaw.

“First of all, I want to say a very big thank you to God Almighty for making this invitation a reality, because it’s something I have always wished and prayed for.

“I have been expecting something like this for a very long time and I thank God I am among the players for the game against Poland and Serbia. Hopefully, I will get a chance to play and prove my worth,” Eze said as quoted by AOI Football.

The former Kano Pillars defence kingpin hopes consistent performances will cement him a place in the Super Eagles squad and is focusing on translating his club form to international level.

“I know we have great defenders on the team and it will be very difficult to upstage any of them, but I am focused and determined. If given the chance, I can prove myself to the coaches.

“I just want to use this medium to say thank you to the coaches and everyone for believing in me,” Stephen Eze concluded.

The two teams bound for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup will face off on Friday at the 43,000-capacity Stadium Wroclaw.