The drive of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) towards convincing players born abroad to pledge their allegiance to the senior national team of Nigeria suffered a set back recently.
Technical director of the NFF Austine Eguavoen was in England recently where he met and had talks with seven players of Nigerian descent. He was in England on the invitation of Fulham defender Tosin Adarabiyio.
Adarabiyio played for England at youth level but has now decided to switch to Nigeria. Not sooner had Eguavoen left, the head coach of the team Jose Peseiro also visited England and afterwards revealed he had talks with several Nigerian players.
Their drive however met a brick wall in Croatia according to Osijek defender Alexander Uwem. The 19 year old is born to a Croatian mother and a Nigerian father making him eligible for both countries but he has already made his choice.
Uwem said he snubbed an approach from the NFF with head coach Peseiro keen on having young players particularly in the defence of the team, where three of his favorite are approaching or already in their 30’s. Uwem somehow ruled himself out as a possible option.
“They called my manager, asked what the situation was, about the papers… – reveals the young footballer of the White and Blues.
” I haven’t received anything in writing yet. Honestly, I feel like a Croat, Croatia is my country and I want to play for Croatia one day”, he rounded up saying.
