Just like it was in the case of Tammy Abraham, Nigeria once again failed to lure another promising talent this time around Bournemouth midfielder Philip Anyanwu Billing who made a dramatic u-turn after agreeing to switch allegiance to Nigeria from Denmark.
Billing received the documents for switch of allegiance from the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) but opt against filling it after speaking with the incoming coach of Danish national team who told him he is part of his plans. Something that didn’t happen with the outgoing coach.
That said Owngoalnigeria.com senior editor Mohammed Suleiman popularly known as Mowiz takes a look at the players who will likely jump at the chance of playing for Nigeria despite representing another country at youth level.
Bright Osayi Samuel ( QPR) – Has caught the eyes this season with some dazzling displays in the English Championship. However while Nigeria have focused on luring his teammate Ebere Eze nothing has been said about the 22 year old.
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He won’t require a switch of allegiance process as he hasn’t represented England at any level. As a winger he has played 32 games in all competitions with six goals and eight assists to his name this season.
Felix Uduokhai ( Wolfsburg) – He was Rohr’s number one target to solve the debacle of getting a left footed centre defender. Although he rejected the initial approach from Nigeria to focus on the German youth teams, he has since revealed that he is open to the idea of switching to Nigeria after been snubbed in the past few months by the U21s.
Now on loan at Augsburg, the 22 year old impressed against his parent owner Wolfsburg and with 19 Bundesliga games to his name this season, he won’t be much of a struggle if pursued by the national team handlers.
Bobby Adekanye ( Lazio) – A Dutch youth international who hasn’t hidden his Nigerian roots. Three months ago he revealed that he is a keen follower of the senior national team of Nigeria before revealing he hasn’t been contacted yet by the NFF hence his decision to focus on the Dutch team.
Still trying to find his feet in Italy, he is however viewed as one of the rising stars in the Serie A. So far he has scored once with one assists from seven games in all competitions. The time to get the former Liverpool forward is now and not when he is fully established.
Tosin Adarabioyio ( Blackburn Rovers) – On loan to Blackburn Rovers from Manchester City. He has impressed this season with 27 appearances in the Championship where he has contributed two goals and one assist from his role as a central defender.
At the age of 22 and yet to be capped by England since playing for their U19 in 2015, approaching him would be a low risk adventure unlike those who are already established in the top leagues and currently playing as junior internationals.
Seyi Ojo ( Rangers) – On loan to Rangers from English Premier League leaders Liverpool, the 22 year old last represented England three years ago. Only recently he called on the authorities to give him a call up to the senior national team of Nigeria as he want to follow in the footsteps of his club colleague Joe Aribo who is fully established as a senior international for Nigeria.
Ojo’s time at at Rangers has been mixed in terms of performance but he has so far made 36 appearances with five goals and seven assists in all competitions this season.
