Southampton Premier League Debutant Commits International Future To Nigeria Ahead Of Ireland
Published: January 22, 2018
Southampton's new kid on the block Michael Obafemi has committed his international future at senior level to Nigeria ahead of his country of birth, Republic of Ireland, allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report.
The 17-year-old had been on the radar of Nigeria's national team coaches and the Nigerian Federation even before he made his Premier League debut in the Saints' 1-1 draw vs Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, January 21.
Obafemi was one of the best players for Team Nigeria UK when they lost to a Golden Eaglets squad parading the likes of Kelechi Nwakali and Victor Osimhen in a pre-World Cup friendly in June 2015.
Coach Emmanuel Amuneke was pleased with his performance and had mulled over the possibility of adding him to the roster but the striker had to return to England.
''He traveled with us to Abuja, he was the best player for Team Nigeria UK. Just last week, we got a call from his mother that he wants to change, he wants to play for Nigeria not Ireland,'' a top source told allnigeriasoccer.com.
''He has been scoring goals regularly for Southampton U18s, we brought him to Nigeria when he was with Leyton Orient, he's a fantastic player.''
Obafemi, who has caps for Republic of Ireland U19s, has scored 12 goals for Southampton U18s this season.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : southamptonfc.com
The 17-year-old had been on the radar of Nigeria's national team coaches and the Nigerian Federation even before he made his Premier League debut in the Saints' 1-1 draw vs Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, January 21.
Obafemi was one of the best players for Team Nigeria UK when they lost to a Golden Eaglets squad parading the likes of Kelechi Nwakali and Victor Osimhen in a pre-World Cup friendly in June 2015.
Coach Emmanuel Amuneke was pleased with his performance and had mulled over the possibility of adding him to the roster but the striker had to return to England.
''He traveled with us to Abuja, he was the best player for Team Nigeria UK. Just last week, we got a call from his mother that he wants to change, he wants to play for Nigeria not Ireland,'' a top source told allnigeriasoccer.com.
''He has been scoring goals regularly for Southampton U18s, we brought him to Nigeria when he was with Leyton Orient, he's a fantastic player.''
Obafemi, who has caps for Republic of Ireland U19s, has scored 12 goals for Southampton U18s this season.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : southamptonfc.com
Latest News
- After Boniface, Napoli considering another Super Eagles striker as potential replacement for Osimhen
- Inter Milan join Arsenal and AC Milan in race to sign Bologna's Super Eagles-eligible striker
- Promising right-back Habeeb Ogunneye misses out on major Manchester United honour
- 'I don't know why he never plays' - Ponciroli blasts AC Milan coach over treatment of Chukwueze
- Nigerian exports: Lookman scores and assists; Moffi in red-hot form; Ohio super-sub; Olusanya strikes
- Transfer insider claims Trabzonspor, Crystal Palace-linked striker Iheanacho will leave Leicester this summer
- Southampton loanee Onuachu makes his comeback from injury for Trabzonspor in win v Fatih Karagumruk
- Online SportyBet review: Your gateway to exciting betting and gaming in Nigeria
- NairaBet Casino: Your premier online gaming destination in Nigeria
- 'South Africa is not going to be easy' - Adepoju predicts tough game for Super Eagles v Bafana Bafana
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football