The Nigeria Football Federation are looking to tempt Bukayo Saka to snub England and play for the Super Eagles.
Saka has had an excellent campaign at Arsenal and recently penned a new long-term contract at the club.
The 18-year-old made his Gunners first-team debut under former head coach Unai Emery.
He has reportedly caught the attention of England manager Gareth Southgate with his displays for Arsenal.
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Saka has represented England at youth level but is still undecided on the country he will play for at the senior level.
According to the Daily Mail, the NFF are prepared to offer Saka an invitation to play for the Super Eagles ahead of England.
The versatile winger currently plays England U- 19 side and is in line for promotion to the U-21s
The NFF have previously been successful in getting English players born to Nigerian parents to switch their allegiance to play for Super Eagles with Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, and Victor Moses having chosen to represent the three-time African champions.
29 Comments
U forgot about @joearibo and ejaria he better choose super eagles
I have this gut feeling that Saka gphas already made up his mind to turn up for Naija. Up SE.
If Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze eventually agree to dorn the national colours of Nigeria,they will join the under listed players as footballers who were either born or raised in England to have played for the Super Eagles…
Players of English descent capped by Nigeria
1.Tunji Banjo
2.John Chiedozie
3.Reuben Agboola
4.Efan Ekoku
5.Ade Akinbiyi
6.Enoch Showunmi
9.Kayode Odejayi
10.Dickson Etuhu
11.Efetobore Sodje
11Sam Sodje
12.Carl Ikeme
13.Shola Ameobi
14.Victor Moses
15.Some Aluko
16.Alex Iwobi
17.Ola Aina
18.Joe Aribo
19.Josh Maja
Ready to switch to Nigeria
1.Ovie Ejaria
2.Tosin Adarabioyo
3.Luke Amos
4.Ademola Lookman
5.Chuba Akpom
6.Bright Osayi-Samuel
7.Dominic Iorfa Jr.
8.Ike Ugbo
9.Michael Ihiekwe
10.Mandela Egbo
11.Osaze Urhoghide
12.Joseph Olowu
13.Bright Enobakhare(already played for Nigeria U23)
14.Tom Dele Bashiru(already played for Nigeria U20 and U23)
15.Sammy Ameobi(younger brother of Shola Ameobi who had already played for Nigeria U20).
16.Jubril Okedina
17.Nnamdi Ofoborh(already played for Nigeria U20).
HILLARY OCHIABUTO
([email protected]).
@Hillary, You forgot Semi Ajayi under the list of those who already played for Nigeria.
I’m searching for Abbey George’s name on that list…! Good job though
Showumi never played for Nigeria. Odejayi wasn’t invited.
@Papafem,I suggest you should crosscheck your records.It’s not enough to just come to this platform to showcase your lack of knowledge about the Nigerian National Team.
Kayode Odejayi made his debut for the Super Eagles on May 27,2008 in an international friendly between Nigeria and Austria at Ernst Happel Station.Late Shuaibu Amodu was the head coach with Daniel Amokachi as the assistant coach.That match ended in a 1-1 draw.
For Enoch Showunmi,whom you said never played for Nigeria,he actually has two caps for the Super Eagles. Enoch Showunmi featured for Nigeria at the Three-Nation Tournament at The Valley in 2004. He made his debut in Nigeria’s 3-0 victory over Republic of Ireland on May 30,2004. He was also in action as Nigeria beat Jamaica 2-0 in the second game.
There is also Hope Akpan who has 4 senior international caps for Nigeria.
Much as I wish NFF good lunch in this venture, I am also not convinced we need Saka. I feel he needs Nigeria more for the following reasons:
1. England do not have good history of keeping players for Africa players for the long time. John Fashanu and a host of others are regret their choice of England over Nigeria till date.
2. England will always find a subtitude for Saka. Given that England has a large poll of players from all over the world, a mistake is enough to cost Saka a place in English team forever.
3. Limited playing time. It will take usual quality for Saka to be able to tie down ample playing time in English team.
4. Being black is a disadvantage in English team. This is a truth that may be hard to take in.
5. Saka may be able to walk into Eagles first eleven. He is a utility player that can play both defensive and offensive. It gives him edge over those playing his wings. Given the number of assist and contribution to goals in EPL, Gernor Rorh may want to keep fate with him.
6. Super Eagle will certain keep fate with Saka for a long time even when the chips are down than the English team will.
Finally, if Saka decides to join Super Eagles, he would have done so to keep his international relevance and give delikes of Onyekure and co a fight for a permanent place in SE.
Victor Anichebe should be added to the list of England born/raised players who played for the Super Eagles.
Also England-born goalkeeping duo of Joseph Oluwabusola and Daniel Jinadu as well as midfielder,Adrian Akande,featured for Nigeria U17 last year.
Saw this same news on BrillaFM. Now I see it’s true NFF have woken up and has gotten more serious about getting this guy. I have this believe that he will choose Nigeria over England. I don’t just know why… probably cuz to me he feels more African and proud of his root by coming out to state it sometimes last year when he was called English by the media men. And also his parents – they adore there Nigerian root. In Saka’s case both the mother and father are Nigerian so it’s quite understandable
How great and exciting will it be to see this wonderful gifted young (kid)MAN to play for his fatherland. Yes, Nigeria got talents. We are very proud of the current football federation with the way they are carrying out their wonderful administrative duties with all the seriousness it deserves.
What about Danny Shittu and Shola Ameobi. They also should be listed .
I hope he plays for SE because he’s definitely gonna be a great assets for us . Imagine he can play wings and wing back as well as in the midfield position. Truly we need him seriously.
NFF, please go ahead and snatch him. Whatever it takes. Even if we have to kidnap him, let’s go ahead and do that.
I’m just wondering though; where will SAKA fit into the current SE???
CHUKWUEZE, SIMON dorminate the right side of the pitch….
MUSA, KALU, DENNIS operate from left….
IWOBI, IHEANACHO, EJARIA deputise the AT.M role…
COLLINS & 2 natural left back in persons of Bassey(RANGERS of scotland), SANUSI(SANTA CLARA,,, but he’s joining FC PORTO next season) will be mostly preferred….
Big headache for GR….
Tough challenge for SAKA….
@ub.F First of all Musa and Moses Simon are not on Saka’s Level. My friend do you watch ball??????????????????.. Musa was relegated to Leicester City’s Under 23 because he couldn’t cut it in England at age 25. Moses Simon struggles to start in lowly league clubs.. Now How the Hell can you say Musa and Moses Simon will be hard for this boy to bench My friend you are not right upstairs.
In my opinin, Saka has more ball sense than every other winger on that list. Not disregarding their talents though, especially Chukweze but I think even he would sit on the bench for Saka
Football is not this way especially when you talk about national team football. Saka will not walk straight into the team. His versatility will be a huge advantage though. You said Musa has no brain but his combination and that of Ighalo took Nigeria to the nations cup. He is about the most successful Nigerian player at the world cup. Common, no right thinking football coach will first bench Musa for Saka if Musa if fit. Rasheed Yekinni never played for a big club. He was destroying teams in Africa when he was playing in Cotedivoire and second division in Portugal. Some players are national team materials while some are club football materials. Jonathan akpoborie struggled with the national team and some others. For national team success many other factors come into play. There will some matches where Saka will appear as if he does not have the sense again. This is where players like Musa and iwobi comes in. Can you check out iwobi impact with super eagles since he began to play for us – it’s definitely not below average. He has done well but yet he does not really do that much for club these days.
Well said @Christian Ministries NG
What will help Saka in any National team he chooses to play for is his VERSATILITY, Adaptability to any role. Remember during Emery days at Arsenal, Saka even played AMF. That’s to tell you he has tasted every part of the pitch except Center Back and Goalkeeping..lol. He will be a great addition in terms of quality to Nigeria though
Iwobi might not make eagles 1st 22 .
Don’t be an ingrate
Dr.Drey,I have been following your expert and in depth comments and analysis on this platform ,and I must confess,they are top notch.
However,although England and Wales belong to the United Kingdom(U.K),George Abbey should have played for Wales and not England.Remember the UK has no single national team.The other UK sides, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different national teams like England and Wales.
Oh ok @ Hilary. Thanks for the expose. I presumed George Abbey was raised in England.
Abbey George played for Swansea in the early 90’s he’s also Welsh
@Sunny,you’re very correct.Thank you so much for drawing my attention to Semi Ajayi’s omission. Semi Ajayi was born and raised in England and has played for the Super Eagles,so deserved to be listed. The towering defender will play in the English Premier League next season having secured promotion with West Bromwich Albion from the Championship. Ajayi has also played for the Flying Eagles(Nigeria U20) at the Toulon Tournament in France before Gernot Rohr capped him at senior international level for Nigeria.
Also Viv Solomon-Otabor,Sheyi Ojo,Calvin Ughelumba-Bassey,Emmanuel Onariase,Edward Ogbebor-Onaiwu,Joshua Oluwayemi,Folarin Balogun,Moses Odubajo,Martin Onoabhagbe,Freddie Ladapo,David Ajiboye,Emmanuel Okokon Idem,Manny Agboola,Michael Agboola,Omar Sowunmi,Emmanuel Adebiyi,Nathan Oduwa,Nathan Tella,Rio Adebisi,Oludare Olufunwa,Tosin Kehinde,David Kasumu,Ola Adeyemo,Victor Adeboyejo,Malcolm Ebiowei,Andre Edionhon,Yinka Adeniji,Robert Oseh,Derrick Abu,Ibrahim Bakare,Ayodeji Owoeye,Nigel Aris,Odel Offiah,Fisayo Dele-Bashiru,Yussuf Ojebode,Jayden Bennetts,Korede Adedoyin,Moroyin Omolabi,Kelvin Etuhu,Chuks Aneke,Matthias Fanimo and many more have ,at one time or the other,indicated their interest to play for Nigeria instead of England.
Also England-born players like Viv Solomon-Otabor,Sheyi Ojo,Calvin Ughelumba-Bassey,Emmanuel Onariase,Edward Ogbebor-Onaiwu,Joshua Oluwayemi,Folarin Balogun,Moses Odubajo,Martin Onoabhagbe,Freddie Ladapo,David Ajiboye,Emmanuel Okokon Idem,Manny Agboola,Michael Agboola,Omar Sowunmi,Emmanuel Adebiyi,Nathan Oduwa,Nathan Tella,Rio Adebisi,Oludare Olufunwa,Tosin Kehinde,David Kasumu,Ola Adeyemo,Victor Adeboyejo,Malcolm Ebiowei,Andre Edionhon,Yinka Adeniji,Robert Oseh,Derrick Abu,Ibrahim Bakare,Ayodeji Owoeye,Nigel Aris,Odel Offiah,Fisayo Dele-Bashiru,Yussuf Ojebode,Jayden Bennetts,Korede Adedoyin,Moroyin Omolabi,Kelvin Etuhu,Chuks Aneke,Matthias Fanimo and many more have ,at one time or the other,indicated their interest to play for Nigeria instead of England.These players are still waiting for a signal from our scouting team and the NFF.
This saka is not just an odinary player, that guy is messi in disguise. Put him in barcelona you will see america wonder. If he accept naija he will walk straight to the left wing as a sure starter. The guy is full of ideas and very precise in decision making. I am happy that england is underating him at the moment, wich is good for the NFF, musa will still be usefull to eagles for sure, but not in the expence of player like saka. Though we have alot of wingers already chukwueze kalu and ejuke including musa are not as decisive in front of goal like saka, a player like osihmen will benefit more from saka becos of his directness.
@Papafem,I suggest you should crosscheck your records.It’s not enough to just come to this platform to showcase your lack of knowledge about the Nigerian National Team.
Kayode Odejayi made his debut for the Super Eagles on May 27,2008 in an international friendly between Nigeria and Austria at Ernst Happel Station.Late Shuaibu Amodu was the head coach with Daniel Amokachi as the assistant coach.That match ended in a 1-1 draw.
For Enoch Showunmi,whom you said never played for Nigeria,he actually has two caps for the Super Eagles. Enoch Showunmi featured for Nigeria at the Three-Nation Tournament at The Valley in 2004. He made his debut in Nigeria’s 3-0 victory over Republic of Ireland on May 30,2004. He was also in action as Nigeria beat Jamaica 2-0 in the second game the next day 31st May,2024.