The England Football Association are currently leading their Nigerian counterparts in the race to secure the international future of highly rated Manchester City defender Amarachukwu Nwankwo, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Born in July 2000, Nwankwo is eligible to represent Nigeria's women national teams, including the Super Falcons, through her parents but would be required to apply for a change of association should she opt to play for the reigning African champions in the future.

The promising defender is now provisionally cap-tied to England after making her competitive debut for the Young Lionesses during the 2026 UEFA Women's U17 Championship qualifiers in Croatia.

The Manchester City youngster came off the bench on her competitive debut against Turkey before earning starting roles in subsequent fixtures against Croatia and Italy.

By featuring competitively for England at youth level, Nwankwo follows in the footsteps of  Omotara Junaid, Jane Oboavwoduo and Princess Ademiluyi, who are all provisionally cap-tied to England 

Notably, two members of the Super Falcons squad for the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Rinsola Babajide and Ashleigh Plumptre, also represented the Young Lionesses in competitive fixtures before switching allegiance to Nigeria.

The finals of the UEFA Women’s U17 Championship, scheduled to take place from 4–17 May in Northern Ireland, will also serve as a qualifying tournament for the 2026 Fifa U17 Women's World Cup.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: englandfootball.com