Netherlands Euro 2004 squad: Striker scouted by Nigeria, Lagos-born winger, ex-Super Eagles invitee snubbed

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has announced his provisional squad for the 2024 European Championship with no players of Nigerian descent making the cut, allnigeriasoccer.com reports. 

The Barcelona legend has omitted Bayern Munich academy product Joshua Zikrzee, who was scouted by former Nigeria boss Gernot Rohr on his full Bundesliga debut against Hoffenheim in February 2020. 

2020 Super Eagles invitee Kingsley Ehizibue and Everton's Lagos-born winger Arnaut Danjuma were not included in the 30-man provisional squad announced on Thursday. 

The aforementioned players of Nigerian descent have played for the Netherlands at U21 level but only Udinese defender Ehizibue is eligible to represent the Super Eagles straightaway without needing to request for a change of association. 

While Ehizibue and Danjuma faced an uphill task gatecrashing the Netherlands squad, Zirkzee's omission was surprising, given his excellent performances for Bologna this season. 

Zirkzee has put himself in the shop window, registering nineteen goal involvements in 37 all-competition appearances for this season's surprise package in the Serie A, Bologna. 

The 22-year-old was named in the Netherlands's preliminary squad for the internationals in March but did not crack the final list due to a hamstring injury he suffered while on club duties.

Danjuma has been in the international wilderness since March 2022 when he earned his sixth senior cap for the Netherlands in a friendly against Denmark. 

1988 European champions Netherlands will face Poland, France and Austria in Group D of the 2024 European Championship. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: Instagram

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com