Arsenal teen sensation Bukayo Saka sparked controversy over his international future when he hinted that he is open to the idea of switching allegiance to Nigeria from England.
The 19 year old in an interview with Sky Sports said even though he is happy to have represented England at youth level he is proud of his Nigerian heritage gotten from his parents.
” It’s a tough choice. I’m happy to have represented England at youth level but I’m also proud of my Nigerian heritage. We haven’t been picked by any team so it is about staying humble and when the time comes we’ll make the decision”, he told Sky Sports in an interview last year .
That statement appears to have triggered the next move made by NIgeria according to chief scout of the Super Eagles Tunde Adelakun who also doubles as personal assistant to coach of the Nigerian team Gernot Rohr.
In an interview with the Tuesday edition of Nigeria’s foremost daily sports newspaper Sportinglife , Adelakun explained that Saka wants to concentrate on his club career and his parents have begged for him to be left alone to decide on his choice of senior national team when he is ready.
” The boy ( Saka) wants to concentrate on his club career. He is still very young and his parents and advisers believe it is too premature for him to be faced with major decisions on international football. He is only 18 years old”, Adelakun told Segun Ogunjimi.
“We have reached him. I have made the approach and that is what I have been told . We cannot exert pressure on such a major issue unless it comes from him”.
Osas Mahawi
