Ovie Ejaria will likely not make his debut for the senior national team of Nigeria this year even if football returns, Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
The on loan Liverpool midfielder has already received the green light from world football governing body FIFA to switch allegiance to Nigeria from England, the team he played for at youth level.
All is set for the 22 year old to team up with the senior national team of Nigeria where he will be reunited with Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Francis Uzoho for the first time since he trained with the U17 team of Nigeria in 2013 alongside the aforementioned players.
However that could also take some time to come to pass as he is yet to renew his Nigerian passport which expired two years ago. The renewal process usually takes two to three months and with the coronavirus crisis it could even take much longer.
A source close to the player revealed to Owngoalnigeria.com that Ejaria will most likely play for Nigeria next year unless the process of renewing his passport is quickened up by the body in charge. The player on his part is keen to team up with the Super Eagles.
” Ejaria is indeed very excited at the chance of turning up for Nigeria. It’s a dream come true for him but he has to renew his Nigerian passport and that usually takes months to happen here. The fear is that with the coronavirus crisis it could even take much longer. Let’s say there’s a more realistic chance of seeing him in a Nigerian shirt next year”, he concluded.
Osas Mahawi
