Chelsea star among 6 Nigeria-eligible youngsters who may never play for Super Eagles

4 weeks ago 8
  • Several apical talents of Nigerian descent proceed to emergence abroad, but amusement signs they whitethorn ne'er correspond Nigeria
  • Players similar Lesley Ugochukwu and Ethan Nwaneri person beardown younker affiliations with different nations similar England
  • Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle is looking to person respective foreign-born players to play for Nigeria

Nigeria is inactive resolute successful its pursuit of young players eligible to correspond the Super Eagles arsenic they question to suffice for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle has been tasked by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to physique a formidable nationalist squad susceptible of competing with the champion nations successful the world.

Super Eagles, Nigeria, Eric ChelleCyriel Dessers, Felix Agu and Nathan Tella are 3 foreign-born players who featured for the Super Eagles astatine the Unity Cup successful London. Photo by Catherine Ivill
Source: Getty Images

In an epoch wherever apical footballers often person multinational identities, the conflict for allegiance has go conscionable arsenic aggravated disconnected the transportation arsenic it is connected it.

Nigeria has been palmy successful the past, convincing players similar Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo and a fewer others to disregard their commencement countries to play for the Super Eagles.

While the greenish and achromatic jersey remains a imagination for many, immoderate players take to pledge their aboriginal to different nations owed to aboriginal exposure, strategy familiarity, oregon vocation progression, Soccernet reports.

6 players who whitethorn ne'er play for Nigeria

Here are six Nigeria-eligible youngsters who whitethorn ne'er enactment up for the Super Eagles:

1. Lesley Ugochukwu (Chelsea, France)

Lesley Chimuanya Ugochukwu has drawn attraction since his determination from Rennes to Chelsea.

The 21-year-old antiaircraft midfielder is the nephew of erstwhile Nigerian planetary Onyekachi Apam.

Despite this heavy Nigerian connection, Ugochukwu has represented France crossed each younker levels and continues to beryllium integrated into their elder setup, ESPN reports.

Unless France delays successful giving him a elder debut and Nigeria pushes aggressively, Lesley whitethorn ne'er feature for the Super Eagles.

2. Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal, England)

Ethan Chidiebere Nwaneri made past arsenic the youngest-ever Premier League debutant astatine conscionable 15.

Now 18, the attacking midfielder has played for England’s U-16 and U-17 teams.

Born successful London but to Nigerian parents, his vocation is aligned with England’s shot improvement program.

The chances of him making a power to Nigeria look slim, fixed the trajectory of his vocation truthful far.

3. Noah Atubolu (SC Freiburg, Germany)

Atubolu is simply a 23-year-old goalkeeper wide regarded arsenic 1 of the astir promising successful Germany.

Currently the first-choice keeper for SC Freiburg, helium has played for Germany from the U-16 to U-21 levels.

Despite showcasing his Nigerian pridefulness by displaying the country's emblem connected his gloves, helium has not indicated immoderate factual involvement successful switching allegiance to Nigeria.

4. Nnamdi Collins (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany)

Pharrel Nnamdi Collins, a commanding centre-back, has made a sanction for himself successful the Bundesliga aft spells astatine Borussia Dortmund and present Frankfurt.

Although calved successful Germany, Collins has Nigerian roots, but has represented Germany extensively astatine younker levels.

With Germany investing heavy successful his development, his aboriginal with the Super Eagles appears unlikely.

5. Tosin Adarabioyo (Chelsea, England)

Tosin Adarabioyo, a almighty defender with Premier League experience, has been eligible for Nigeria for years.

Tosin Adarabioyo, Chelsea, Super Eagles, NigeriaChelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo is 1 of the players Nigeria is looking to enlistee to play for the Super Eagles. Photo by Eddie Keogh
Source: Getty Images

However, contempt involvement from the NFF, Tosin remains committed to perchance playing for England.

Now 26 and with clip ticking, his accidental of ever wearing the Super Eagles jersey diminishes with each passing year.

6. Carney Chukwuemeka (Chelsea, England/Austria)

Carney Chibueze Chukwuemeka is different Chelsea youngster of Nigerian descent.

Born successful Austria and raised successful England, the 20-year-old has represented England astatine younker levels.

With Austria and England some successful the picture, Nigeria remains a distant 3rd successful his planetary options.

Dutch-based prima wants Super Eagles role

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that erstwhile Nigeria under-20 invitee Hamdi Akujobi has signalled his interest to play for the Super Eagles up of the Netherlands.

The Almere City defender believes helium can acceptable into the existent squad contempt beardown contention from the likes of Ola Aina.

The 25-year-old, who has played successful the Dutch league for implicit 5 years, said the acquisition had helped signifier him into a much implicit player.

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Source: Legit.ng

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