Genk forward Ike Ugbo has revealed he is close to finalizing his switch from England to Nigeria, Completesports.com reports.
Ugbo, who was born in Lewisham, Greater London is of Nigerian descent.
The 22-year-old has represented England at the U-17 and U-20 level, but he is still eligible to play for Nigeria at senior level.
The striker admitted playing at the World Cup is his dream and hopes to achieve that with the Super Eagles.
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“I choose Nigeria,” the striker told Sport/Voetbal Magazine.
“We are currently preparing the papers.
“The upcoming World Cup qualifiers will play its part in this (decision).
“I think I have more chances with Nigeria than with England.
“I also grew up with images of the national team and always followed their strikers, especially the boys who came to England.”
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COMMENTS
Some people will say “we have A we have B who will we drop for him?who will we bench for him?we have many strikers”……Even football superpowers like Germany England Itali France with a stock pile of talent don’t say such…….But Nigeria that can not even boast of 2 standard players in each wing is complaining of abundance of talent.
How can we complain about abundance of talents??? That’s not possible the more the merrier. Some players can encounter injuries or loss of form between now and the WorldCup next November if we make it that far. Some might not even be relevant again by the AFCON in 4 months. I like players who are willingly ready to play for Nigeria and have the talents to back it up. Like the gaffer said in a recent interview no matter how talented a foreign born is, he must first reach out to us and also be ready to fight for a shirt. If I have to be objective I think this past international window has given us a lot of options to choose from. Collins and Zaidu are battling it out at left back. Anyone of them can be relied upon with a certain Calvin Bassey on the outside looking in. Aina and Ebuehi are capable for the right back. Awaziem has shown he can be a reliable backup to Ekong and we also have Akpoguma. The midfield have added two more options to what we already have and the attacking third is brimming with top class talents. If you ask me SuperEagles are definitely on their way to glory with you what we have on ground. The way the boys dominated Cape Verde on Tuesday and the grits we displayed when we were under pressure is very encouraging.
AKP you are right to some extent. But those soccer superpowers that you mentioned all have homegrown footballers so there’s few or any foreign born footballers planning to switch nationality. Secondly, of a fact, if he is that good, England would have called him and if England called Ike Ugbo today, I know he will not think twice before dumping Nigeria. Enough of these foreign born footballers seeing Nigeria as a second choice. We have abundance of players playing professional football abroad, some of whom have not been given chance to showcase their talents as I speak. Lets try these players first before going for those who are unpatriotic. My personal observation though.
That guy is good and decided to choose Nigeria. How certain are you that he will dump Nigeria if England calls him. Everyone knows what he or she wants. We have to applaud and appreciate him first.
I totally agree with you that ike Igbo knows what he wants in the first place. When Nigeria sorted Iwobi and it came to the knowledge of the English FA, they did everything to convince him to stay with the three lions but because Alex’s mind wants already made up, nothing mattered to him and I am so sure that his decision was worth it today. Iwobi has 48 caps for Nigeria with 9 goals. I am sure none of the guys who chose England over Nigeria have as much as Iwobi does with the Eagles. If Ike Ugbo is choosing Nigeria, for me, it is a welcome development that I personally embrace with both hands and legs. Those born in Nigeria are not more Nigerian than him. My personal view is; where you’re born does not matter, the hint thing is can you get the job done? If Ike is invited and failed to nail down a shirt, let him sit on the bench for a home-based player that knows his onions.
@bos yes a lot of homegrown players are available example Micheal and Innocent…….Thank God Nigerians have finally seen what the two can bring to the table……. Another is Ejuke who has woooowed Nigerians with his playing style…….Others include Awoniyi Onyeka Dennis and co…….We should have a pool of 40 or more tested players who have tested action at international level ready to go to battle in camp for a strong 23 to emerge……But game time is not circulating enough in SE today to have 40 tested players even in 2 years time……Ejuke Micheal Innocent Moffi only had that opportunity because of covid…….We have friendlies and dead rubbers but I feel we are not utilizing them enough to blood many players……the same first eleven keep getting the chance even in friendlies……..10 mins in a friendly is not enough to judge a player Ejuke has proven that to us……..we need to give minutes to more players I know it’s a risk but If England can risk it on saka ,Germany can risk it Musiala and Adeyemi,then we should also take such risk……The Cape Verde match has taught us a lesson not to rely on a few players as a National team…….Game time should be spread out as wide as possible Incase of such situations……. Game time should get to as many players as possible to make them have that confidence and experience in case they are called upon at short notice……..Thank God we had enough hidden quality in the squad to escape the cape Verde huddle but we might not be that lucky next time…..
So Iwbobi isn’t good?
So Ekong isn’t good?
You mean Leon Balogun isn’t good?
Lookman who is making his switch isn’t good?
Most times our comments on this platform is quite shocking.
God bless Naija and all who prays for her good
All these players you mentioned are very good at the Africa and Nigeria level. See i love Nigeria amd the super eagles of Nigeria to the extent that i don’t so much watch the premiership or other European leagues. Yet we must be objective. For now, we are not at the level of England but i know the only thing that is permanent is change, we shall get there one day
What have England achieved in the past 60 years to be compared to Nigeria ?..Please England is a second rated country when it comes to football, what they have is the media and hype please !!
Nigeria’s problem is not resource availability but resource management
Who are those people complaining of a player choosing Nigeria as plan B, what have we done to merit the commitment of those players switching aligiance? Absolutely nothing.
If at all they even chose Nigeria either as plan A or B we should be greatful cos even many Nigerian today if given oportunity to become a citizen of another country and take Nigeria as second, many will not think twice before grabbing the opportunity.
u r on point
“Any player that’s not good to play for England or Germany is not good enough for the Super Eagles,” Lawal told The PUNCH.
We have good qualities like England but our FA and organisation is poor. We have qaulity players all over the world.
It’s not always easy the way u people see things sometimes. Imagine u are half Nigerian, Half Congolese (Dr Congo) I purposely used DR Congo because I know they are coming up. and you were born and brought up in Nigeria, I bet you it will first look like an insult if Congo come calling.
So saying they should be the one looking to come and beg to play isn’t that easy. They first need to be convinced.
I have Nieces and Nephews born abroad and we do communicate well. Does that means we are not families because they were born abroad? Let’s be reasonable sometimes.
I have lived more of my life abroad than I have in Nigeria, despite all my education being in Nigeria and Youth Service. Does that make me Nigerian? no Does that make me abroadian? No.
What makes a person Nigerian is what they feel inside and having a link to the country. As long as the person is eligible and they are good enough or better than what we already have or improve the squad then there is no reason not to.
Not every person who is eligible to play for Nigeria is the best in their other country. They may come from a country that is blessed in a particular position. For example, England has 10 Rightbacks to choose from, so any one of them may not be the number one for England and may still be better than the available rightbacks for their other country.
Once again, as long as they will improve the squad then that is all that matters. I always hear the refrain “who will he bench”? He does not have to bench anybody, he may even be on the bench himself, however, the squad is stronger and has options if what is happening on the pitch is going well.
At this time we are blessed also with A LOT of options up front. Looking at last season we had Osimhen, Onuachu, Iheanacho, Moffi, Simy, Sadiq firing on all cylinders and pushing each other to greater heights.
This season you can add Awoniyi who has started the season on blistering form, Moffi just produced a Man of the Match performance against Lille with a goal and an assist, Dennis Bonaventure nominated for player of the month of August for Watford, Cyriel Dessers raring to go with Dutch giants Feyenoord. So, Ike can join the party and be the tenth option.
Whomever is on form is in. Don’t forget, clubs may withold certain players for certain callups, the covid situation (Positive tests, new variants, red list changes) can rule a lot of players out, suspensions, injuries, etc can hit. Football is about who is available now.
He has chosen to represent us, he is getting his paperwork ready, this is a lot more than other players who have made positive noises have done. We have seen players flirt and use the flirtation to get the attention of their other country.
Ike Ugbo is talking the talk and walking the walk, just like Cyriel Dessers before him. When they are firing they are in.
Simple really