The decision to leave out the trio of Ademola Lookman, Ovie Ejaria and Ebere Eze from the list of players called up by coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr didn’t come as a surprise to many.
However Rohr has hinted that one among them would have made the list if not for the fact that they have played competitive game for England which means their switch of nationality has to be approved by World Football governing body FIFA.
While discussing the possibility of Bordeaux striker Josh Maja teaming up with the Super Eagles, the Franco-German coach said his inclusion is possible unlike others who have already pledged allegiance to Nigeria because he has not played in a competitive game.
” I had lunch with Kalu and Maja, now we have two Nigerians in Bordeaux and Maja can play for Nigeria. I already spoke with him about picking him and it came out positive because he did not play for England in a competitive game at U20. He can play in our next friendly that is possible because he didn’t play for England at U20, which is the case for many others that I’m looking at”, Rohr said.
Although he didn’t specifically mentioned the trio but they have been talked about as possible inclusion in the team following their fine run of form for their respective clubsides in Europe.
Lookman has hinted his desire to switch to Nigeria following his move to RB Leipzig of Germany, same as Eze who even trained with the Nigerian team during their training camp in England two years ago. Ejaria who has been a revelation for Reading this season in the Championship hasn’t ruled out playing for Nigeria.
