Several foreign players have opted to play for Nigeria in the past, male and female, likewise. Some make that choice at the beginning of their careers, while others wait it out until later.
The likes of Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi and William Troost-Ekong didn’t take much time to switch allegiance to the Super Eagles, while Ademola Lookman and Felix Agu took a little more time before coming around.
With many talented players eligible to represent multiple nations, Nigeria remains vigilant in securing stars who can strengthen the Super Eagles across the pitch.
For Nigerian football fans, the anticipation of bolstering the Super Eagles with fresh talent from another country is both a blessing and a curse.
On the one hand, there is optimism that the rising talents will choose to wear the green and white shirt, and on the other, there is the realisation that not every promising player with Nigerian eligibility will make that critical decision to switch allegiance.
10 high-profile foreign players eligible to play for Nigeria
1. Lesley Ugochukwu
Lesley Chimuanya Ugochukwu piqued the interest of a lot of Nigerians after Chelsea signed the defensive midfielder from Rennes. Lesley is 21 years old and is the nephew of former Rennes and Nigeria centre-back Onyekachi Apam.
The Chelsea midfielder has played for France at every youth level but is yet to be capped by the senior team.
2. Ethan Nwaneri
Ethan Chidiebere Nwaneri is the youngest ever to play in the English Premier League, at just 15. The Arsenal midfielder has always been ahead of his peers and has featured for senior sides even when much younger.
Now 18, Nwaneri has played for England’s U-16 and U-17 teams, respectively, and was born in London, but he is of Nigerian descent.
It then begs the question of whether the young Englishman would switch to the Super Eagles later in his career. The Arsenal man was part of the England team that won the U-21 UEFA European Championship this summer.
3. Justin Njinmah
Justin Gideon Njinmah, 24, was on the books of Borussia Dortmund before joining Werder Bremen, where he scored three goals in 30 games for the Bundesliga side.
The forward was born in Germany and is of Nigerian descent. Njinmah is yet to represent Germany or any nation at any level, leaving the door open for a possible Super Eagles switch in the future.
4. Noah Atubolu
The 23-year-old SC Freiburg goalkeeper has been widely tipped by many to be the man who puts an end to the goalkeeping struggles of the Super Eagles.
At such a young age, he is Freiburg’s first choice and has represented Germany from the U-16 to the U-21 levels. He is of Nigerian descent and dons both the German and Nigerian flags on his goalkeeping gloves in every game.
5. Luca Koleosho
Luca Warrick Daeovie Koleosho is a winger who plays for Burnley in the English Premier League. Koleosho is quick, direct and very tricky on the flanks.
Born in the United States to a Nigerian father and an Italian-Canadian mother, Koleosho has the luxury of four countries of choice to play for.
Born in 2004, Koleosho has played for both the United States of America and Italy at the youth level.
6. Nnamdi Collins
Pharrel Nnamdi Collins joined Borussia Dortmund in 2016 before moving to Eintracht Frankfurt. Collins was born in Germany but is of Nigerian descent, as he is from a Nigerian family. He has also represented Germany at all youth levels of football.
While he’s solely focused on being a first-team regular at Frankfurt, the 21-year-old wants to represent Germany instead of the Super Eagles.
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7. Carney Chukwuemeka
Carney Chibueze Chukwuemeka plays as an attacking midfielder for Chelsea. The 21-year-old was born in Austria to Nigerian parents but has represented England at every youth level.
Just like Nwaneri, the chances of Chukwuemeka playing for the Super Eagles in the future are very slim, as he is eligible to play for Austria, England, and Nigeria.
8. Samuel Edozie
Samuel Ikechukwu Edozie plays as a winger for Southampton. He was born in Lewisham, South London, and even played for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City before leaving for Southampton.
The 22-year-old was born to a Nigerian father and an English mother. Edozie has also represented England at all youth levels.
9. Kevin Martins
Kevin Maussi Martins is an Italian striker who plays for Monza. Born in 2005, the youngster has Nigerian roots as he is the son of the legendary Super Eagles and Inter Milan striker, Obafemi Martins.
10. Tosin Adarabioyo
Abdul-Nasir Oluwatosin Adarabioyo, donning the colours of Chelsea, is a towering centre-back who came through Manchester City’s academy.
Born in London to Nigerian parents, Tosin has represented England at multiple youth levels but remains uncapped at the senior level. His quality and experience in the Premier League could make him a valuable addition to the Super Eagles if he decides to commit.
The 27-year-old recently revealed his stance on playing for Nigeria, leaving the odds to a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
