One of the most talked about players for English Premier League side Crystal Palace this season is Michael Olise. The midfielder played a huge role in the turnaround that has seen them beat the drop with games to spare.
Presently a junior international with France, the left footed midfielder was first invited to the senior national team of Nigeria by former coach Gernot Rohr. Two years ago he was included in the list of players for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers games against Benin Republic and Lesotho respectively.
Rohr had him on standby in his 24 man list for the games, which were later postponed. Between that time he answered the call by the French U21 side and now appears to have made up his mind on representing them even at senior level. Rohr however did his best to get him.
” It was something really funny. After the first invitation which he turned down citing non issuance of a Nigerian passport. He was told to change his phone number. The then coach of Nigeria was really pushing to have him but his representatives have always had France in mind”, a source close to the player told Owngoalnigeria.com.
Mohammed Mowiz
