As the Super Eagles of Nigeria gear up for the resumption of the games of the world cup qualifiers in March, OwnGoalNigeria.com takes a look at five players who could be useful for the team.
Like a host of players in the team at the moment, they were born abroad but have made it known that they want to play for the senior national team of Nigeria, who are currently struggling in their world cup qualifiers group with no win and just three points from a possible 12.
The poor results mean they are 5th in the six team group, four points behind group leaders Rwanda who are tied on the same points of 7 with the second and third placed team in the group South Africa and Benin Republic respectively.
In danger of missing out on a second consecutive world cup, we pick five players who could breathe life into the Super Eagles campaign in the qualifiers.
Felix Agu: Operating as a right back. He has cemented his spot in the starting lineup of Werder Bremen with ten Bundesliga games and two goals to his name this season.
Born in Germany to parents of Nigerian descent, he is still eligible for Nigeria as he only represented Germany at U21 level in friendly games, which effectively means he won’t be needing a switch of nationality approval by FIFA.
He Initially snubbed the chance to be a part of the Super Eagles when he was approached by Rohr in 2019, but in December 2021, Agu publicly expressed his openness to play for the Super Eagles.
“At that time, I cancelled the Nigerian Association because I wanted to go to the German U21s first. Up until then, I had never been to the national team, and I wanted to get used to it.”
“I haven’t heard anything for a long time. Maybe it will come again.”
“But it wasn’t a decision against Nigeria. It was a decision to keep my surroundings that are more or less familiar.
“Now I am open to the topic,” Agu told deichstube
Justin Njinmah : The 24 year old has been one of the revelations of the season in Germany this year with two goals and two assists in eight games for Werder Bremen. Like Agu he was born in Germany to parents of Nigerian descent.
Nicknamed the German Neymar, the right winger who is yet to be capped by Germany at any level made it clear four months ago that he is open to the idea of representing Nigeria.
“I know I’m being looked at by Nigeria of course, but I can only decide when I get an invitation. Then I really would have to weigh up exactly,” the versatile forward said in an interview with German publication Kicker.
Dapo Afolayan : At newly promoted German side St. Pauli the name Dapo is associated with only good things. At 26 the winger who was born in London to Nigerian parents is among the first name on the team sheet for games.
He boast of two goals and one assist this season but his all round play has been particularly impressive for the newly promoted side. Dapo although eligible for England has his mind fixed on solely representing the Super Eagles.
Chuba Akpom : Made the decision to switch nationality to Nigeria from England where he was a youth international three years ago. But a poor club form kept him out of the team.
He found his feet at Middlesbrough and earned a big transfer to Dutch side Ajax, where he hasn’t done badly but not at the level he was in the English Championship. Former Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro spoke about him but didn’t cap him, and even recently interim coach Austine Eguavoen confirmed he is on his radar, but at 29 Akpom will no doubt have fears on if he will ever get to play for the Super Eagles.
Kingsley Ehizibue : Got his first call up to the Super Eagles in 2017 but opted for the Dutch U21 team. He was handed another chance in 2021 but this time around it was discovered that some administrative issues will make it impossible for him to represent Nigeria.
However the 29 year old confirmed the issue has been fixed, but despite his form at Udinese where he has played in all of their 13 games in the Serie A he hasn’t been given a look in to stage a fight for the right back position of the Super Eagles.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
