The Austrian Football Association are refusing to allow Nigeria to have a free run at Borussia Dortmund star Carney Chukwuemeka whose international future is up in the air, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
The former Chelsea and Aston Villa player was born in Eisenstadt, Austria, to Nigerian parents, but grew up in England where he earned caps at various youth levels up to U20 level, and was part of the under-19 side that won the 2022 European Championship.
However the 22 year old failed to make the step up to the senior national team of England, leaving him eligible for a change of nationality to either Nigeria or Austria.
Nigeria took the lead with head coach Eric Chelle holding talks with Carney on how he will be better off pledging his international future to Nigeria, using the rise of another former England youth international in Ademola Lookman as evidence.
Austria have now responded to the approach by Nigeria with an approach hoping to convince him to instead pledge his future to them. They are hoping that the chance of playing at the next world cup will be enough to lure him.
For now he is still undecided, but the fact that Nigeria won’t be at the world cup could hand Austria an edge.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
