Nigeria miss out: Chelsea star ends speculation about future by playing in cap-tying game for England

By appearing in a competitive game for England's Three Lions on Tuesday night, Chelsea star Noni Madueke put an end to  speculation surrounding his international future, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

After a fine start to the 2024-2025 season, the Tottenham Hotspur-reared winger received his first call-up to England's senior national team for the UEFA Nations League matches against Republic of Ireland and Finland.

Born in Barnet, Madueke qualified to represent the Super Eagles through his Nigerian parents but any slim hopes the Nigeria Football Federation had of persuading him to play for the three-time Africa champions have now vanished following his senior debut for the Three Lions.

Super Eagles fans would have been pleased that he was a non-playing substitute in England's 2-0 win over Republic of Ireland on September 7 but that euphoria lasted for just three days. 

Twenty minutes into the second half against Finland at Wembley Stadium, Madueke replaced another winger previously targeted by the Nigerian Federation, Arsenal's Bukayo Saka.

Aged 22 years and 184 days today, Madueke can no longer represent Nigeria at international level, provided his British citizenship is not revoked. 

FIFA's eligibility rules state that a player can play up to three matches at senior level and switch his international allegiance to another country provided the three games were played before he turned 21.

Madueke has followed in the footsteps of Dele Alli, Bukayo Saka, Ross Barkley and Eberechi Eze who are all cap-tied to England. 

The Chelsea player  bagged an assist against Finland, setting up Harry Kane for his second goal of the game with fourteen minutes left on the clock. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: englandfootball.com

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