Nigeria defender Ibrahim Buhari in an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa has expressed hope that his move to Austrian Bundesliga side Austria Wien can put him back on the radar of the Super Eagles as he looks to end his spell in the international wilderness.
“The two leagues are similar, but the competition is just as tough, if not tougher,” Buhari told Footy-Africa. “I have to keep improving so as to play regularly and hopefully catch the attention of the Nigerian coach.”
“It is every player’s dream to play for their country, and mine is not different,” he said. “I have had a taste of the national team with the U23s and the home-based team, but I think I am now ready for the Super Eagles.”
Buhari’s move to Austria represents another important step in a career that began in the Nigerian league with Plateau United before taking him to Europe. He joined IF Elfsborg in September 2022 and went on to make 61 appearances for the Swedish club before deciding the time was right for a fresh challenge.
“Coming here was for a new challenge after the time I spent in Sweden, which was my first time playing for a foreign club,” Buhari explained. “When I got to Sweden, the system there was quite different from what I was used to at Plateau United in the Nigerian league, but I was able to adapt fast.”
‘I want to win titles’ – Austria Wien signing Ibrahim Buhari opens up on ambitions
“I learned a lot there in Sweden, but as a footballer, there comes a time when you want to test yourself and see how far you have come as a footballer and as a person. When the deal to Austria came, I decided to take it, and right now I am enjoying the challenge, which will help me become a better player all round.”
The defender’s immediate priority, however, remains helping Austria Wien compete for honours. Buhari understands that a return to the Super Eagles will have to be earned through his performances for his new club.
“The Austrian league is tough and physically demanding, but it is something I am now used to,” he said. “The most important thing is to keep working hard to help my team win titles, and then hopefully get another call for the Nigeria national team.”
The 24-year-old centre-back joined Austria Wien this summer on a free transfer from Swedish top-flight side IF Elfsborg, signing a long-term contract that will keep him at the Vienna club until 2029.
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Buhari has made an encouraging start to life in Austria, featuring in three league matches and completing the full 90 minutes in each of them. He has also played four matches in the club’s UEFA Conference League qualifying campaign.
The defender believes regular football in a competitive European league could give him a better opportunity to attract the attention of Nigeria’s national team coaches.
Buhari is no stranger to the national team setup. He received his first senior Nigeria call-up in May 2022 for a series of international friendlies before being invited to the Nigeria U23 squad in March 2023 for the Olympic qualifying campaign. He has also had experience with the home-based national team, but has not been involved with the Super Eagles in recent years.
For Buhari, the route back to the Super Eagles is clear: establish himself as a regular in Austria, continue developing as a defender, and hope his performances become impossible for Nigeria’s selectors to overlook.
