The attacking midfielder was rewarded for his consistent showings in the Nigerian top-flight and is eyeing a run-out against the Europa League winners

From playing against Nigeria Professional Football League colleagues a week ago to prospects of squaring up against Spanish giants and newly crowned Europa League winners Atletico Madrid, Katsina United's Destiny Ashadi reveals 'it was a surprise' he never saw coming. A second string Nigeria team will face the LaLiga side in a hybrid friendly at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Tuesday and 20 players - a mix of foreign and domestic talents - were called up by coach Salisu Yusuf. “I feel happy. I'm happy," Ashadi told Goal. "No, I wasn't expecting a call-up, it was a surprise. "I would be happy and feel great to play against Atletico Madrid."

But Ashadi would rather not think for Salisu-led coaching crew. "Mine is just to be calm, play my football and leave the rest for the coach because I can't tell the coach to use me because I'm not in his mind so I don't know what he has in mind," he said. In the past, the CHAN Eagle has shunned several advances from Nigerian top-flight sides, Kano Pillars the latest during the recent mid-season transfer window, reiterating his desire for a direct move abroad at the 'right time'. Asked whether a game against Diego Simeone's side is his passport to alerting the world of his playmaking skills, Ashadi objects: "I'd say it’s not the perfect opportunity. "We are playing a friendly match which is only one match and I'm not sure if I'm going to start or not. So, I may be excused to think otherwise [if it is not the perfect opportunity]." He continues: "If we had lot of matches, I can say maybe but now I can't say because there are lot of players coming for the match. "I will try my best to do what I can do. "God knows the right time and the best for all of us. If this is my right time, surely I will do better," he concluded.