Ireland Gain The Upper Hand Over Nigeria In Race For Man City's Bazunu, Norwich City's Idah

Published: March 13, 2019

The Football Association of Ireland have gained the upper hand over the Nigeria Football Federation in the race for the services of two foreign-born youngsters.

Manchester City winter signing Gavin Bazunu and Norwich City's Adam Idah have been handed maiden call-ups to Republic of Ireland U21 national team by manager Stephen Kenny for the forthcoming UEFA U21 European Championship qualifier against Luxembourg.

The 2002-born Bazunu is on the radar of the the Golden Eaglets coaching staff ahead of the 2019 Fifa U17 World Cup and it is believed it would be more difficult to convince the goalkeeper after his recent promotion to Ireland U21s.

The ex-Shamrock Rovers prodigy previously received call-ups to Ireland U15, U16 and U17 national teams.

Idah has been rewarded with a first-ever call-up to the U21s on the back of his fine form for the Canaries youth team this season, with 12 goals in 16 appearances in the Premier League 2.

The 2001-born striker, who has been tipped to make his first-team debut for Norwich City in the near future, scored goals aplenty for Republic of Ireland U17s and has earned caps for the U18s and U19s.

They are both in contention to make their U21 debut when Ireland face Luxembourg at the Tallaght Stadium on March 24.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : canaries.co.uk