Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr has provided an update on the international clearance needed by ex England youth international Ola Aina ahead of Nigeria’s World Cup 2018 Qualifiers against Cameroon.
Aina has played for England at various youth levels but the on loan Chelsea defender, who has impressed since joining Hull City on loan switched allegiance to Nigeria early in the year.
Despite obtaining all of the documents needed for his switch to be made official, the defender is still not eligible to play for Nigeria on Friday when they take on Cameroon as FIFA are yet to ratify his switch.
Rohr revealed they are hopeful the clearance will come in few days time as all documents that needed to be in place for him to be eligible to play for Nigeria has been obtained, but FIFA are demanding for a document the coach considered as strange.
According to Rohr, FIFA are demanding a letter from the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to prove he is truly a Nigerian, which the coach considers as strange, as the player already has a Nigerian international passport.
The coach revealed during the media parley that he is hopeful the letter from the FGN will come through today or tomorrow paving the way for the highly rated Aina, who can play as a right back or left back to make his debut for Nigeria.
Ade Emmanuel
