In August 2018, when Gernot Rohr announced the Super Eagles squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Seychelles, many Nigerians were left scratching their heads at the inclusion of Jamilu Collins.
At the time, Nigeria’s left-back options were thin. Elderson Echiejile, was clubless following the 2018 World Cup. Brian Idowu was struggling for minutes at Lokomotiv Moscow, and Tyronne Ebuehi was sidelined with a long-term injury.
This vacuum opened the door for Collins, who had made his debut only months prior and was then plying his trade in Germany with SC Paderborn.
Though he started the tournament on the bench, Collins broke into the starting XI by the quarterfinals, playing a key role as the Super Eagles clinched a third-place finish.
Speaking to Sport1 about his impact, Rohr was full of praise: “Very important. This is a player who is offensively and defensively very strong. His left foot is very valuable to us. Collins is a player with a German mentality: a tough, serious worker who also does extra sessions on days off and after practice.”
Jamilu Collins’ promising career marred by injuries
Born in Kaduna, Collins’ journey to the top was anything but straightforward.
He started at the Abuja Football College Academy before moving to Croatian side HNK Rijeka in 2012. Loan spells at clubs like NK Krka in Slovenia offered little stability, but a 2017 trial at SC Paderborn finally gave him a foothold.
He played a pivotal role in Paderborn’s promotion from Bundesliga 3 to the Bundesliga, stamping his reputation as a quality left-back.
However, injuries began to creep into his story, ultimately shaping the trajectory of his career. His fitness troubles started with minor issues but became more frequent and severe over time.
In May 2022, Collins signed with EFL Championship side Cardiff City, but his time in Wales has been far from smooth.
Just weeks into pre-season, he suffered a devastating cruciate ligament injury in August 2022, sidelining him for 289 days and forcing him to miss 50 games. Despite the lengthy layoff, Collins managed to make a brief return, featuring in four league matches.
The 2023/2024 season initially offered hope for a fresh start, but that optimism was short-lived. Toward the tail end of the campaign, the 30-year-old suffered a groin injury in April 2024, which kept him out of action until September.
By the time he returned to full fitness in the 2024/2025, he found himself out of favor, slipping behind Callum O'Dowda and Joel Bagan in Cardiff’s left-back hierarchy.
Super Eagles defender facing an uncertain future post-Cardiff
Now, with his contract set to expire in June 2025, Collins faces an uncertain future. Cardiff City coach Omer Riza confirmed that the Nigeria international is actively seeking a move away from the club.
“At the moment, JC is searching for another club,” Riza told Wales Online. “We've had good, honest chats. The windows are not closed abroad, so things might still happen there.
“In the meantime, he'll continue to act professionally and train in order to play games. I'm not sure what will happen with that.”
Five years ago, he was the Super Eagles' first-choice left-back, lauded for his defensive solidity and attacking support. Today, he finds himself on the fringes of club football, fighting to reignite a career once full of promise.
