10 Foreign Players Eligible To Play For Nigeria

Did you know that there are a lot of foreign players eligible to play for Nigeria who are out there?

These players that could have played for Nigeria are many and come from different countries of the world.

I have however chosen to highlight 10 players eligible for Nigeria in this article.

10. EBERECHI EZE

Eze has proven to be a formidable attacking midfielder for Crystal Palace and has been a major driving force for the premier league side.

The 23-year-old, who was born in England by Nigerian parents, is eligible to play for both Nigeria and England.

He has, however, remained undecided on which team to side to play.

However, Nigeria’s sporting director has expressed hope that Eze would be more inclined to play for the super eagles than for the three lions after meeting with him.

Eze has represented England at the Under 20 and Under 21 levels, but the Nigeria national team are still hopeful that he will pick them at the biggest stage.

9. ADEMOLA LOOKMAN

Ademola Lookman is a 23-year-old attacker currently signed to RB Leipzig.

He was born in England by Nigerian parents, making him eligible to play for England and Nigeria national teams.

Lookman started his football career on a high note, winning the LFE Apprentice during the 2015/2016 season.

Lookman showed his skills with his FIFA under-20 World Cup performance in 2017, where he represented England.

He scored three goals, with all of them coming against Italy and Costa Rica.

Though he has represented England at the under-19 and Under-21 levels, Lookman has expressed his enthusiasm to play for Nigeria and has already applied to FIFA for a change country allegiance.

8. CHUBA AMECHI AKPOM

Born by Nigerian immigrants in England, Chuba Akpom is one of the potential Nigerian players that have been on the country’s radar for a while now.

Foreign Players Eligible To Play For Nigeria

However, it is not so easy to convince the Middlesbrough forward who is yet to decide whether to play for Nigeria or England.

He has represented England at the youth level and at the U-21 stage as well.

The three lions, however, do not seem keen on calling him to the squad.

At 25, Akpom barely has time to stall his international career if he hopes to make a name on the international stage.

7. JORDAN TORUNARIGA

Jordan Torunariga is a 23-year-old center-back and is currently signed to Hertha BSC.

He was born in Germany to a Nigerian father, Ojokojo Torunarigha, a former super eagles footballer. His paternal roots make him eligible to play Nigeria national.

Foreign Players Eligible To Play For Nigeria

He started his professional career in 2016 and scored his first goal against Darmstadt 98 in 2017.

His debut footballer year gave many an idea of the talent he could be.

Torunariga represented Germany at the youth international level in 2018 after turning down Nigeria due to his father’s advice that playing for Germany is best for his career.

He has ever been left to reconsider his options in recent years after considering the German Machines squad depth.

He is still very eligible to play for Nigeria, as he is yet to play for the German senior team.

6. NATHAN TELLA

Nathan Tella is a 21-year-old midfielder currently signed to the Southampton football club.

The rising star was born in England to Nigerian parents, making him eligible to play for both England and the Nigeria national teams.

Nathan is one of the promising stars in Southampton and has made full use of the time he has been given on the pitch.

He provided the clinical assist that led to Armstrong’s goal and eventual qualification to the semi-final in the 2021 FA Cup.

Nathan has not played for England at any level, which makes it easier for him to join the Nigerian national team if he is willing to consider his African roots.

The Team Nigeria UK boss David Doherty told AllNigeriaSoccer that Tella has stated he is willing to play for Nigeria if called upon.

5. NOAH JOEL SARENREN BAZEE

Joel is one of the few foreign-born eligible Nigerian players that has been approached by the Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr to represent his father’s national team.

Foreign Players Eligible To Play For Nigeria

He could also play for Germany due to his mother linkage, but the Squad depth of the European giants has not been so enticing for the raw talent.

At 25, the right-winger is expected to make his choice anytime soon.

4. TOSIN ADARABIOYO

Tosin Adarabioyo is a 23-year-old defender who plays for English side, Fulham.

He was born in England to Nigerian parents, making him eligible to play for England and the Nigeria national teams.

Foreign Players Eligible To Play For Nigeria

He made his senior debut in 2016 in his club FA cup encounter, where he was given the task to mark Chelsea striker Diego Costa.

He scored his first professional career goal against Sheffield United during the 2019/2020 season.

 

Tosin has represented England in the under-16, under-17, and under-18 levels.

Nevertheless, he is still eligible to play for the Nigerian national team as he is yet to play for the Three Lions at the senior level.

3. OVIE EJARIA

Ovie Ejaria is a 23-year-old attacking midfielder with the English Championship side, Reading Football Club.

He was born in England to Nigerian parents, making him eligible to play for England and Nigeria national teams.

The youngster scored his first goal in 2018 during his time with Sunderland in the last match of the regular season against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In the same year, he joined the Scottish premiership club Rangers on loan and displayed his skill by scoring twice for the team in two different matches.

Although he has played for the England youth teams, Ejaria has declared his intentions known to play for Nigeria.

He even trained with Nigeria’s under-17 team in 2013.

2. NONI MADUEKE

Noni Madueke is a 19-year-old midfielder with Eredivisie club PSV.

He was born in England to Nigerian Parents making him eligible to play for England and Nigeria national teams.

Foreign Players Eligible To Play For Nigeria

Despite being new to professional football, Noni has proven to be a bright star and has attracted keen attention from his Nigerian side.

Noni started his youth career in Tottenham Hotspur Academy and was the under-16 captain.

He quickly progressed with his progressive gameplay and was made added to the under-18 side at the age of 15.

He scored two goals against Denmark when representing England’s youth side in the under-17 qualifier match.

Noni is still very eligible to play for the Nigeria national team as he is yet to play for the England National team.

1. SHEYI OJO

Sheyi Ojo is a 24-year-old winger currently signed with Liverpool Football Club.

The Nigerian native was born in England, making him eligible to play for the England and Nigeria national teams.

Foreign Players Eligible To Play For Nigeria

He started his youth career with Milton Keynes Don’s and became the first trainee under the club to get an international camp at the youth level.

In 2014 he was named one of the top scorers during Liverpool’s under-17 future cup.

While on loan to Wigan in 2015, the promising youngster was named the man-of-the-match after a strong display against AFC Bournemouth.

 

Sheyi, who has represented England in all youth levels, has told BBC Sport that he would never turn down an invite to play for Nigeria and that his parents support the idea.

Those are the top ten foreign players eligible to play for Nigeria that I have picked to write about. If you know any more of them you can drop their names in the comment box.