The head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro says he has been busy scouting players for the senior national team of Nigeria from the Italian Serie A.
Peseiro’s team will be in action against Portugal on the 17th of November and the coach said he has already marked down areas where the team needs strengthening after spending six months at the helm as coach of the Nigerian team.
He said the idea is to get young defenders as most of the players at his disposal in that department are nearing the age where they can’t be available all the time. To that extent he has taken his search to the Italian League where he is keen on Atalanta central defender Caleb Okoli.
Okoli is born in Italy to Nigerian parents making him eligible for Nigeria. He is presently an U21 international for Italy but he is still eligible for Nigeria as he is yet to play for their senior national team. Peseiro said he will try to convince him to snub Italy and pledge his senior international future to Nigeria.
“We want to convince him to play for Nigeria. We will try. After this friendly match against Portugal, there will be time to talk to him and to understand his decision. Whether he wants to play with us or not. I will talk to him through Lookman’s brokerage. : I will show him my model, what I think of him, the project we can have together with Nigeria “.
It’s not expected to be straightforward as the present coach of the Italy senior national team Roberto Mancini is said to be a huge admirer of the defender who has played in 12 Serie A games this season.
