The international future of red hot Monaco forward George Ilenikhena is one that will pitch the senior national team of Nigeria against the French national team in the coming weeks, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Signed from Belgium side Antwerp two weeks ago , the 17 year old has hit the ground running with two goals in two pre season games making mockery of the €20m that was paid for his services by the principality side.
Born in Nigeria but migrated to France at a very early age, Ilenikhena is eligible for both countries but he is yet to be capped at any level by both countries, that might however be a thing of the past in the coming months.
He is however leaving his options opened and according to sources close to him he won’t turn down the chance to play for Nigeria, if it arrives as he feels proudly Nigerian.
” He ( George) won’t say no to Super Eagles. He is Nigerian and very proud to be one but that isn’t on his mind now because he just moved to a very top team at a young age”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com in an exclusive chat.
On reports of former coach of the Nigerian U20 team Ladan Bosso approaching George to join up with his team for the U20 World Cup last year, the source explained why the then 16 year old turned down the chance.
” It wasn’t a direct approach. A journalist working for the coach approached me and I said it’s better for him to focus on his club career as he was at that time making his way into the first team of Amiens. He didn’t say no, I did on his behalf because it’s the sensible thing to do”, he explained.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
