As Nigeria continue her drive to lure players with dual nationality to pledge their allegiance to the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Owngoalnigeria.com takes a look at 11 talented players who could have been playing for the Nigeria senior national team but are now representing other countries.

Jonathan Ligali (Montpellier)

One area where Nigeria is well protected is in the area of goalkeppers. However Jonathan Ligali who keeps goal for French Ligue 1 side Montpellier is one who would have been another option for the Super Eagles.

Ligali was at a point in time under consideration by former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh but the move didn’t materialise and the 25 year old who has already represented France at youth level will be hoping to make the step up to the senior team in the future.

Ola Aina (Chelsea)

The teen full back who is highly respected and regarded at Premiership club Chelsea is a full fledge England youth international. Although he could still play for Nigeria in the future. It appears he is for now focused on playing for England at senior level

David Alaba (Bayern Munich)

A big miss to Nigeria but one who still relates with his Nigerian roots, as seen in his wrapping his body in the flag of Nigeria after winning the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich.

He ranks high among the players who got away from the grasp of Nigeria. He currently captains the senior national team of Austria and he is widely regarded as one of the best left full back in the world.

Dennis Aogo ( Schalke 04)

The 29 year old left footed defender cum midfielder was initially keen on switching allegiance to Nigeria but FIFA rules on nationality switch stopped him. By the time the limitations that hindered him were removed he opt to represent Germany and turned down Nigeria thrice.

His decision to play for the country where he was given birth to paid off as he made the Germany team to the 2010 World Cup.

Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)

Nigeria missed out on Alli who is now about the first name on the team sheet for Spurs in any game due to negligence, according to former England international John Fashanu.

Fashanu said he tried to get permission to speak with the teen during his formative years at MK Dons but he got no support from the then board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Now firmly established as a senior international. He recently removed his surname Alli from the back of his shirt to a more Nigerian name in Dele.

Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham)

Italy’s deputy centre back behind the fantastic trio of Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chellini. The power playing defender ironically made his debut for the Italian senior national team against Nigeria in a friendly game before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

His uncle said in a recent interview that he proposed the defenders to the Nigerian set up during his early days at Torino but was given cold shoulders by those he spoke to regarding his abilities.

Brian Idowu (Amkar Perm)

Born in Russia to a Nigerian father. Idowu’s case is entirely different as despite his consistent display for Amkar Perm. He is yet to be called up by Nigeria or Russia at any level, the two nations he is eligible to represent.

Karim Onisiwo ( Mainz 05)

Just like David Alaba who plays for Austria. Onisiwo who plays in same team with Nigeria international Leon Balogun is also a national team player of Austria despite his Nigerian roots.

However the former Austria youth international, could yet switch allegiance to Nigeria as he has only played in a friendly game for Austria, way back 2015 in a game against Switzerland.

Ross Barkley (Everton)

Voiced out his Nigerian roots and willingness to play for Nigeria if called up years ago before breaking into the first team set up at Everton.

Now a fully established England international. Nigeria were slow in making their push for him particulary when he mentioned his Nigerian roots which was a secret before he let it out.

Emmanuel Sarki ( Wisla Krakov)

The former Nigeria youth international played at different levels for Nigeria (U-17,20 & 23) but never got to play for the Super Eagles, which forced him to switch allegiance to Haiti.

A former youth player of Chelsea. He joined the club alongside Mikel John Obi in 2004 but after successful loan spells. He failed to make the grades and was cut loose. He now plays for Haiti at senior level.

Sidney Sam (Schalke O4)

The dashing winger was quick to make up his mind about his international future sticking to play for the land of his birth Germany as opposed to Nigeria.

He progressed through the German youth set up to the main team and made the provisional 30 man list of the German team that won the World Cup in 2014.

As new Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr settles down to the task of qualifying Nigeria for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Owngoalnigeria.com takes a look at some players who have played for the senior national team of Nigeria, at various intervals but presently stands no chance of representing the country during the World Cup 2018 qualifying series.

Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United)

The Chippa United shot stopper was anointed by former Super Eagles goalkepper Vincent Enyeama as his successor but the emergence of Carl Ikeme has put a hold to his international hopes.

Rohr is now focused on three goalkeepers Carl Ikeme, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Emmanuel Daniel and from leaks gathered by Owngoalnigeria.com, the only goalkepper he wants back is erstwhile number one Vincent Enyeama.

Efe Ambrose (Celtic)

He has survived four different Super Eagles coaches but unless his poor form and lack of games at Celtic change for the good, his national team career is as good as over after four years.

Raheem Lawal (Osmanlispor)

A bit harsh to suggest he has no future with the Super Eagles but from the plethora of options available in his preferred role. He stands no chance of earning a recall to the team he represented during the ill fated 2015 Nations Cup qualifiers and recently in a friendly game against Luxembourg.

Aaron Samuel ( Guangzhou R&F)

His case wasn’t helped by a serious knee injury that rocked his proposed deal with Russian giants CSKA Moscow. Came to prominence during the 2015 AFCON qualifiers and was given a look in during the recent AFCON 2017 double header against Egypt but didn’t make the match day squad for both games.

He presently stands no chance of playing under Rohr.

Slyvester Igbonu (UFA)

A regular in the team under Sunday Oliseh. The Russia based forward days with the Super Eagles were over from the day Oliseh was sacked as it appears only the coach has trust in his abilities. His chances under the German coach is not anyway close to bright.

Azubuike Okechukwu (Yeni Malatyaspor)

Won himself lots of admirers during Nigeria Under-23 campaign at the Olympics in Rio which Nigeria won bronze.

However despite having one cap for Nigeria, for now the new Super Eagles manager has options ahead of him and his case is made worst by the fact that he plays in the Turkish second division.

Joel Obi (Torino)

Forever on the fringes of the Super Eagles. Usually close to a breakthrough but never close enough to making a mark no thanks to injury. Presently not doing bad at Italian side Torino but has no chance of playing for Nigeria anytime soon with Rohr at the helm as coach.

Azubuike Egwuekwe (KuPS)

Late coach Stephen Keshi favourite defender. The AFCON 2013 nations cup winner is currently one of the best centre defenders in Finland but still no where close to what Rohr wants in his centre back. His days with the Nigeria national team is good as over under the German.

Paul Onobi (KuPS)

Sunday Oliseh’s trusted midfielder who once kept Chelsea ace Mikel Obi out of the team during the tenure of Oliseh as coach of the Super Eagles. A poor CHAN display, a not too impressive move to Finland coupled with better options ahead of him, should make him focus more on his club career for now.

Nnamdi Oduamadi (HJK)

Not setting the world on fire in Finland as expected. The AC Milan loanee is no doubt heavily talented but an unstable club career ruined his chances with the Super Eagles. He recently lost his spot as a starter for HJK. A sign of the little progress he has made which could further keep him out of the team.

* This list is by no means official. It is purely the opinion of the writer hence it’s not binding.

Manager of Arsenal Arsene Wenger has once again hailed the performance of Nigeria international Alex Iwobi after his overall performance in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Hull City.

Aside having what he still believes should stand as his goal credited to Sanchez, Iwobi has an impressive display for the gunners, setting up two assist in the game aside his brilliant link up play.

Iwobi has started in Arsenal’s last two games with the manager preferring him ahead of other options he has in the role the Nigerian plays and, the manager has revealed the reason why he favours the 20 year old ahead of the rest.

I started him last year because I’ve seen that there’s something in him that is quality of vision, quality of give and go, of movement. He can break the lines with a pass and individually as well, so there’s a lot in the locker”. He said.

“Overall, he’s only 20 years old so you could see that he has gained in confidence now. He can take people on much more and he has gained power as well. It’s interesting what he has done”.

Nigeria international Alex Iwobi feels he deserves to be credited with Arsenal’s first goal in their 4-1 win over Hull City which was given to Alexis Sanchez.

While Sanchez who ended up scoring a legitimate and undisputed goal of his own in the game, which he missed a penalty Manager Arsene Wenger and Iwobi have both voiced their opinion about the disputed goal.

Manager Arsene Wenger said in his post match interview that both players are laying claims over the goal, Iwobi also took to social media to post his displeasure over the goal which claiming he has been robbed his first goal of the season.

Iwobi revealed a post match chat with Sanchez, which the Chilean insisted he had a touch before his shot went in, but while he is disappointed at losing the chance to open his season’s account. He is happy that Arsenal won for the third consecutive English Premier League game.

“I honestly thought I’d scored, but he kept on saying ‘I got a touch, I got a touch!’ Please, let it be my goal! At the end of the day, we won, so that’s all that matters”.

Nigeria international Kelechi Iheanacho says he is feeling good with his current run as a starter in the absence of top striker Sergio Kun Aguero who is currently serving a three match domestic ban.

The Nigerian has proven to be a capable replacement for the Argentina forward and after another goal yesterday. His second consecutive premier league goal, the 19 year old was asked if he thinks he has done enough to keep Aguero out of the team when his suspension is over.

However with Nolito set to be sidelined for a while according to reports. He could continue his run in the team even when Aguero returns.

“I feel great,” Iheanacho said.

“I need to keep improving and working hard every day to take my opportunity. I’m feeling good every time I play with my team-mates, playing to instruction to play good.”

He however credit his goal scoring run to the effort of the team as a whole pointing out the training ground routine and talks that lead to Kevin De Bruyne sweeping his freekick under the wall of Bournemouth in yesterday’s 4-1 victory.

“I think we have seen that they jump in the wall with a free-kick this close to the goal, so Kevin took that [plan] into the game and it was a brilliant free-kick,” he said.

“It was a great performance from the team, in the first half and the second half.”

Nigeria AFCON 2013 winning midfielder Obiora Nwankwo has joined Greek side Levadiakos on a one year deal, Owngoalnigeria.com understands.

The former Inter-Milan prospect has had a journeyman career since leaving Inter Milan on a permanent base in 2013 when he joined CFR Cluj.

Last season, he was unlucky with injuries but ended up making 27 appearances for Academica, who were at the end of the season relegated in Portugal.

It appears his deal was terminated for him to be able to complete his transfer to the Greek side, which will be his fourth club in three years.

Nwankwo played in Spain for Cordoba before his move to Academica of Portugal two summers ago. The 25 year old also had loan spells with Italian side Parma,Gubbio and Padova.

One time Super Eagles invitee Fanendo Adi is staking a big claim for a recall to the Super Eagles after scoring his 15th league goal of the season in Portland Timbers 2-1 win over Philadelphia Union.

Adi scored the game’s winning goal seven minutes before the half hour mark to notch up his 15th goal of the season from 29 games. Three short of his last season tally of 18 goals in 39 games.

He has now scored five goals in his last six games including his goal in the CONCACAF Champions League tie which they lost 2-4 to Deportivo Saprissa.

His goal scoring run will no doubt put him in the frame as Nigeria step up preparations for the World Cup 2018 qualifiers with a game against Zambia in October.

The last time the 25 year old was called up. He failed to make the match day squad for the double header tie against Egypt in the AFCON 2017 qualifiers which Nigeria crashed out after losing to Egypt in Alexandria 0-1.

Former Nigeria Under-20 captain Abdul Jelil Ajagun was dismissed for the first time in his career, when he was given the marching order in Roda JC 0-3 loss to Heerenveen in a Dutch league game.

The bad tempered game saw just about same amount of goals as red card with Ajagun, the first to be sent off in what was his 5th appearance of the season since moving to Holland.

A veteran of two Under-20 World Youth Championship, He was also a part of the Under-17 team of Nigeria that finished second at the U-17 World Youth Championship in Nigeria in 2009.

23 year old Ajagun who joined Roda in the summer from Greek side Panathinaikos was sen off for two bookable offences in the 29th and 34th minute respectively, in the game that witness two more sending off after the Nigerian was dismissed.

Roda who were reduced to nine men after another red card were thumped 3-0 by Heerenveen who were also ended the game with 10 men after one of their players was sent off as well.

Nigerian teen forward Henry Onyekuru rich vein of form in front of goal for Belgian side Eupen continued against league champions Club Brugge as they slump to a 2-3 loss.

Onyekuru who reportedly turned down a summer move to German side Hoffeinheim during the transfer window opened scoring in the five goal thriller in the 9th minute. But two well taken penalties from Jelle Vossen plus a strike from Stefano Denswill condemned the newly promoted side to defeat.

However Onyekuru who scored 6 goals in the second division last season to power Eupen to promotion has now increased his goals total to three in seven games.

A product of the prestigious Aspire Academy, the 19 year old was at a time called up to the Nigeria Under-23 but failed to honour the call up due to club commitments.

He is teammate to two Nigerians at the club in Odeni George Jamabo and Anthony Bassey both of whom have not been as regular as the lanky forward in the team this season.

Nigeria youth international Theophilus Solomon is three goals away from the top scorer in the top division in Croatia, after scoring his 4th goal of the season from the six games he has played so far.

Solomon on loan to Istra from table toppers Rijeka was scouted by English Premier League side Swansea City last week when he scored the last goal in a 3-0 win against RNK Split, Today he also scored the final goal in a 4-1 drubbing of Inter Zapresic.

After a slow start to his career since moving to Croatia three seasons ago. He has been in his best element in the last two seasons, scoring 13 goals for second division side Sibenik where he was on loan last season.

This season, he is at Istra on another loan spell and is progressing really well as he is now just three goals behind former Rijeka striker Roman Bezjak who still remains top scorer in the league on 7 goals despite joining German Bundesliga side Darmstadt in August.

Three years ago he was strongly linked with a move to Italian giants Juventus but a tussle over who owns his economic rights made the Italian giants to pull out of a deal for him.