Crystal Palace star midfielder Ebere Eze reminded all who might have forgotten of his star quality by hitting a brace that helped his team beat Southampton 2-0, their third consecutive win under new manger Roy Hodgson.
Eze struck in the 54th and 68th minute of the game to once again put himself in the frame for a discussion over a possible call up to the senior national team of England. A long term injury cost him his first chance at playing for the country at senior level.
Now back at his best and playing with a lot of freedom under Hodgson, his national team choice would have been the senior national team of Nigeria if the then coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr had foresight to see that he has a bright future.
While at Millwall and struggling to find his feet, the then 19 year old attended a training camp of the senior national team of Nigeria in London, where they played Senegal in a friendly game on the 23rd of March 2017.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw and another game was scheduled to be played by Nigeria but it was cancelled leading to a hasty decision to organize a test game involving players of Nigerian descent living in the United Kingdom. Eze was one of the players.
Chuba Akpom and Ola Aina were the other two known names who took part in the training game but while the aforementioned duo have been cleared to play for Nigeria, Rohr made it clear back then that he has enough quality in his midfield and didn’t follow up the task of monitoring the development of Eze.
One year later after Eze has blossom to a certain aspect with QPR in the English Championship, Rohr came calling again but this time around the player has already been contacted by the handlers of the U21 team of England. He picked going with them especially as there was no guarantee from Rohr on a spot in the Nigerian team.
After that failed move, Rohr contacted former NFF president Amaju Pinnick to speak with the 20 year old as at that time. A meeting was set up with Eze by Pinnick but he omitted his representatives who were not happy by what they termed as unprofessional by the present FIFA congress man.
His representatives saw it as a form of disrespect and following his move to Crystal Palace two seasons ago urged him to make the best of his time in the English Premier League, and he could be in the frame for a call up to the English team.
While at Crystal Palace, he met with Pinnick twice in London and even posted their picture together but around that time he has his mind made up on playing for England. Injury robbed him the chance to be a part of the pool for the European Championship.
He revealed that he saw a message on his phone about his call up to the English team for the Euros, when he got into the locker room after picking up the injury which kept him out for eight months. Now back to his best level another chance is likely on the horizon.
Mohammed Mowiz
