Allnigeriasoccer.com has been told that Rangers centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez is sticking to his decision to represent the Nigerian national team despite being eligible to wear the colours of 1966 world champions England. 

The Nigeria Football Federation have acted swiftly to hand him his maiden call-up to the Super Eagles ahead of the forthcoming fixtures against Iran and Jordan.

Fernandez has assured that he will link up with the squad at their training camp in Antalya, Türkiye, on Tuesday, March 24.

The London-born defender played the full ninety minutes as Rangers recorded a 4–1 victory over Aberdeen in his final outing before travelling to Antalya.

With head coach Eric Chelle naming only three other centre-backs in his 23-man squad — Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Igoh Ogbu — Fernandez is widely expected to make his senior debut in the coming days, provided all necessary documentation is in order.

The former Peterborough United player is just twenty-four and is widely regarded as having the potential to remain a mainstay in the Super Eagles for the next decade, fitness and form permitting.

A goalscoring centre-back, Fernandez brings aerial dominance, physical strength and a valuable attacking threat from set-pieces to the Super Eagles.