Nigeria Football Federation boss Amaju Pinnick has revealed that Arsenal's rising star Bukayo Saka stands a chance of representing the Super Eagles if he switches his international allegiance from England to Nigeria.
Pinnick embarked on an executive recruitment drive last year as he attempted to lure Chelsea duo Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori to play for the Super Eagles but his trip to London was unsuccessful, with both players becoming cap-tied to England few months later after featuring in the 2020 European Championship qualifiers.
After Pininck' s faux pas with Abraham - whom he courted publicly - the football administrator says he won't coerce players to switch their nationality to Nigeria going forward.
Having said that, Nigeria should move fast if they are really interested in capping Saka as the English Football Association are hoping to beat the three-time Africa champions to his services, with Three Lions coach Gareth Southgate set to run the rule over the 18-year-old winger this Saturday when Arsenal face Manchester City in the FA Cup, with a view to a call-up to the senior squad in September.
In an Instagram Live chat with the Nigerian Federation, Pinnick stated : "Saka is excellent prospect but we have other players in his position who are playing so well.
"We have talents everywhere so we won't beg people to play for Nigeria. If it's their desire and they merit it, they'll be given chance to represent Nigeria."
"We have talents everywhere so we won't beg people to play for Nigeria. If it's their desire and they merit it, they'll be given chance to represent Nigeria."
A current England U19 international, Saka also has caps for the Young Lions at U16, U17 and U18 level.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : arsenal.com
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