Rangers defender Leon Balogun has referred to as on the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) to make the Tremendous Eagles extra interesting after lacking out on a number of proficient gamers with twin nationality.
The English FA gained the battle for Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, although Eze as soon as skilled with the Tremendous Eagles earlier than a cancelled pleasant in opposition to Burkina Faso in 2017.
Bayern Munich star Michael Olise selected to play for France, regardless of being approached by former NFF president Amaju Pinnick and even making Nigeria’s provisional squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in opposition to Benin and Lesotho.
The NFF additionally didn’t persuade Actual Madrid’s David Alaba and Manchester Metropolis’s Manuel Akanji to symbolize Nigeria earlier than they performed aggressive matches for Austria and Switzerland.
Reviews on Monday claimed that new England supervisor Thomas Tuchel is watching Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri, with plans to name him as much as the Three Lions. Manchester United striker Chido Obi can also be a participant to keep watch over.
Chatting with Ayodele Olu Ibidapo, German-born Balogun mirrored on his Nigerian roots and urged the NFF to do extra to draw high dual-national gamers to the Tremendous Eagles.
“There’s a lot expertise. Have a look at David Alaba, Manuel Akanji, Michael Olise — we missed out on them. Eze, Saka, and plenty of others too,” Balogun mentioned.
“There are nonetheless extra gamers coming by means of. There’s one now at Werder Bremen, Felix Agu. So, it’s about sending the proper message and making the nationwide workforce extra engaging.
“After I bought referred to as up, I felt this was house, my different half calling me to return and uncover who I actually am.
“Earlier than then, I wasn’t very related to my Nigerian roots. I’m nonetheless studying, and for the previous two years, I’ve been taking Yoruba classes, which isn’t straightforward.”
Nigeria’s run to the 2023 AFCON remaining was boosted by a number of dual-national gamers, together with Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, and Samuel Ajayi, all key figures underneath former coach José Peseiro.
