A close source to Reading midfielder Michael Olise has revealed that the coach of the U21 team of France Sylvian Ripoli tried to talk the 19 year old out of switching allegiance to Nigeria, Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Olise is well known to the coach who tracked his performance for the U18s and is keen on making him a part of his U21 set up after his breakthrough season in the English Championship with Reading.
The coach spoke with the midfielder three days ago before naming his squad for the U21 Euros, but Olise remained adamant on his decision to switch to Nigeria unlike Colin Dagba who accepted to shun Benin Repulsive and was subsequently named in the squad.
“ It was a long discussion but Olise has made up his mind on Nigeria and nothing can change it for now. His dream is to represent Nigeria at the next Africa Cup of Nations and also the World Cup in Qatar”,he told Owngoalnigeria.com.
“ Olise is on the standby list because he doesn’t have a Nigerian passport yet. He has applied for one and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is working round the clock to make it happen”.
