The Algerian FA has set up a meeting with Reading midfielder Michael Olise with the hope of convincing the 19 year old to turn his back on his plans to play for Nigeria, Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Olise is eligible to play for the North African country through his mother and he qualifies for Nigeria through his father. He represented France at U18 level but accepted to switch nationality to Nigeria.
He had talks with the coach of the Nigerian team Gernot Rohr, and that led to his listing in the Super Eagles squad for the last round of international games with Rohr explaining that he was placed on standby due to the travel restrictions occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.
Nigeria now have a strong competitor for his service as African Champions Algeria have approached his representatives in the wake of his award as the best young player in the English Championship.
Algeria have succeeded in luring players born in France to pledge their allegiance to them at senior level and talks have been fixed with Olise and his representatives at the end of the season.
The idea is to sell their plan to him and how he fits into their aim of becoming a football super power in the nearest future. Olise who is linked with a summer move to a top team in England hasn’t decided on attending the meeting yet.
A source said his representatives have already contacted him but he is feeling indifferent about it considering the fact that he has already given his words to the Nigeria Football Federation and coach Gernot Rohr.
