Cyriel Dessers, Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey, Leon Balogun, and William Troost-Ekong all fit the description of players who were born outside Nigeria but returned to represent the country of their ancestry.
Today we look at some talented young players of Nigerian descent who are eligible to follow this trend.
Dapo Afolayan
Dapo Afolayan plays as a winger and a centre forward for English League One club Bolton Wanderers.
The 24-year-old is affectionately called the ‘New Okocha’ by fans Bolton as they draw a comparison with the legendary Jay-Jay Okocha who featured for the club from 2002 to 2006.
Dapo Afolayan was voted Bolton’s Player of the Year last season after scoring 14 goals for the club.
The 24-year-old English-born is eligible to play for Nigeria.
In April 2021, Afolayan was asked in the Bolton Wanderers Matchday programme if he would consider playing for Nigeria and he stated “Yeah I would. It’s something I’ve thought about and hopefully, I can keep playing well and get on their radar.”
Destiny Udogie
Destiny Udodie plays as a defender for Italian Serie A club Udinese. Udogie is one of the brightest young prospects in Serie A.
The 19-year-old is on the radar of top European clubs following his impressive performance at Udinese last season.
Udogie was born in Verona, Italy, and has represented Italy at the U16, U17, U18, U19, and U21 levels.
The 19-year-old is yet to make a senior team appearance for the Azures which makes him eligible to represent the Super Eagles, although he recently declared his intention to play for Azures of Italy.
Carney Chukwuemeka
Carney Chukwuemeka is a young talented footballer who plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa in the English top-flight.
The highly-rated young midfielder is been courted by several European clubs with just a year left on his contract at Villa Park.
The midfielder was a key member of the England team that won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship this year, scoring in the final against Israel in a 3-1 win.
Barcelona, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Borussia Dortmund are all reportedly interested in the 18-year-old.
Chukwuemeka is of Igbo descent. He was born in Austria to Nigerian parents and was raised in Northampton, England. He is eligible to play for Nigeria at the senior level.
Maximilian Oyedele
Maximilian Oyedele plays as a midfielder for the Manchester United youth team.
The 17-year-old recently signed his first professional contract with the Red Devils.
The young midfielder scored 2 goals in 18 appearances for United in the U18 Premier League last season. He also scored a goal in the run-up of his side’s FA Cup glory.
Oyedele was born in England to a Nigerian father and a Polish mother and as such, he is eligible to play for Nigeria as per FIFA rules.
Malcolm Ebiowei
Malcolm Ebiowei plays as a forward for Premier League side Crystal Palace.
The 18-year-old joined Palace this summer from relegated Championship side Derby County.
Ebiowei has represented the Netherlands and England at the youth international level still eligible to play for Nigeria through his parents.
