Bayern Munich loanee Edna Imade is no longer eligible to represent African heavyweights Nigeria or Morocco after making her competitive debut for Spain in the first leg of the UEFA Women's Nations League final on Friday, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Born in Morocco, Imade had been eligible to play for the Super Falcons through her mother, who crossed the Sahara Desert to Spain with her two children in search of a better life. 

The family endured significant hardships throughout their journey from Morocco to Spain.

The Nigeria Football Federation had made genuine efforts to convince the forward to commit to the Super Falcons, and she was initially open to representing the African champions. 

However, following an approach from the Royal Spanish Football Federation, she eventually opted to pursue an international career with La Roja.

The Spanish federation fast-tracked the required documentation, enabling head coach Sonia Bermúdez to hand Imade her maiden call-up for the two-legged Nations League final against Germany.

Wearing the number 12 shirt, Imade's dream moment arrived in the 85th minute, replacing Esther González to make the cap-tying appearance that formally locks her international allegiance to Spain.

Because the UEFA Women's Nations League is an official competition, the 25-year-old is now permanently tied to Spain, provided her Spanish citizenship remains intact and she does not become stateless.

Imade becomes the second forward of Nigerian descent in recent years to be cap-tied to Spain, following Barcelona prodigy Vicky López.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: rfef.es