Super Eagles of Nigeria target Brian Idowu has been warned that playing for Nigeria could cost him his starting spot at Russian Premier League side Amkar Perm after Nigeria’s approach to the 24 year old.
Idowu is eligible for Russia and Nigeria, but while Russia the host of the next World Cup are yet to sound out the versatile defender, coach of the senior Nigeria national team Gernot Rohr met with the defender to convince him to switch allegiance to Nigeria.
Rohr went ahead to hand him a spot in Nigeria’s World Cup 2018 qualifiers against Algeria, but Russia immigration laws stopped him from honoring the invitation from Nigeria for the game which Nigeria won 3-1 to move four points clear of their closest challengers Cameroon in the race to be at Russia 2018.
However highly respected Russian journalist Toke Moller Tolde who writes for Russian Football News says even though Idowu might yet play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The move might prove costly for him at his clubside Amkar Perm.
“If Idowu is capped for Nigeria, he’ll become a legionnaire in the eyes of the RFPL, meaning he’ll lose value, both on and off the pitch. On the pitch, Amkar are forced to have six Russian players eligible for the national team at all times, which means that this kind of player with quality are a rare and valuable co”‘ he wrote.
Osas Mahawi
