Boavista defender, Bruno Onyemaechi, has revealed how his permanent deal at the Portuguese club at the start of the 2023/24 season helped him gain confidence at the Estádio do Bessa, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Nigerian left-back had joined the Portuguese club on loan from Firense in the 2022/23 season and the deal was sealed permanently in August 2023, signing for a reported fee of €1m until the summer of 2026.
He went ahead to make 24 appearances in the Portuguese first division last season and also provided one assist while his market value rose to €3m.
“My first season at Baovista was on loan and they decided to make it permanent. I thank the club for believing in me that I could help the team,” Onyemaechi told PUNCH Sports Extra.
“I will say the permanent deal really gave me much confidence to be here and help the team. Thankfully we survived relegation as well and I’m looking forward to what subsequent seasons will hold.”
The 25-year-old was sidelined with an injury towards the end of the season, which made him miss the Super Eagles’ two 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June.
But he believes the Eagles can still make it to the USA, Canada and Mexico, the venue of the next Mundial, despite scooping a miserable three points from their first four games.
“I wasn’t part of the last two games due to injury but I’m looking forward to subsequent games and I’m confident we can still make the World Cup. We will do our best to get the maximum points required to make the World Cup.
“It was a privilege to be part of the AFCON squad and I will continue to give my best to the national team anytime I get called up so I can also make bigger tournaments like the World Cup.”
He made his Eagles debut last October during the final game of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Sao Tome and Principe, a game Nigeria won 6-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
He also featured in friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique, playing the entire duration of both games.