Balogun
By Emuobonuvie Ojeni
Rangers central defender Leon Balogun has called on the Nigeria Football Federation to make the senior national team more attractive after missing out on some exciting players with dual nationality.
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Citing the English Football Association winning the recruitment battle for Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka and Crystal Palace dazzler Eberechi Eze, even though the latter trained with the Super Eagles before a cancelled friendly with Burkina Faso in 2017.
Recently Bayern Munich ace Michael Olise chose to commit his international future to France, despite being approached by former Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick and being named to the Super Eagles’ provisional roster for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Republic of Benin and Lesotho in 2021.
Reports on Monday suggested that new England boss Thomas Tuchel is keeping an eye on Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri, with plans to call him up to the Three Lions, while Manchester United striker Chido Obi is another player to watch.
Speaking to Ayodele Olu Ibidapo, German-born Balogun reflected on his Nigerian identity and urged the Nigerian Federation to make more effort to draw top dual-national players to the Super Eagles.
Still more to come, there’s a guy at Werder Bremen now by name Felix Agu, so obviously it’s about sending the right messages, making the national team attractive.
“I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who felt at the time I got called up to the national team that this is home, this is my other half calling me to come home, find out who you are.
Nigeria’s run to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final was bolstered by dual-national players, including Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, and Samuel Ajayi, all featuring in erstwhile coach Jose Peseiro’s ideal starting lineup.
