Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme thought someone was joking with him when he was told of his first international call-up for Nigeria.
“When the message and the phone call came I thought someone was winding me up to start with,” he said.
“I spoke to the coach and it started to make more sense and I realised it was none of my cousins winding me up or anything like that.”
Ikeme who is also eligible for England said it was a ‘no-brainer’ to accept the call-up as he has close ties to Nigeria.
He was surprisingly dropped for the home game against Hull City on Sunday in favour of Emiliano Martinez and has made 33 appearances for the team last season picking up several Man of the Match awards.
He is expected to challenge Vincent Enyeama for the Eagles goalkeeping gloves which has been in Enyeama’s possession since 2002.
The 29-year-old will join up with the Super Eagles for their African Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania on September 3.
Ikeme declared his allegiance to Nigeria some years ago and will now challenge Nigeria captain Vincent Enyeama for a place in the side.