Borussia Monchengladbach attacking midfielder commits international future to Nigeria over Germany

Attacking midfielders in Nigeria's Super Falcons have not always been easy to come by.

The arrival of Toni Payne sparked a rejuvenation of the role, as she expertly marshalled the position at the 2022 WAFCON, the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, and most recently at the 2024 Summer Olympic games in Paris.

That being said, a worthy deputy and competitor for the former United States youth international still hasn't been found, with the squad boasting more holding midfielders.

Jennifer Echegini could have been termed as her deputy, but it would appear that she's more suited to playing from the wings than in the middle of the park, as seen at this year's Olympics.

The local league hasn't contributed to this cause either, as it seems to be better at providing goalkeepers at national team level.

However, a solution might just have emerged overseas, particularly from Germany, in the form of Sadiat Joy Babatunde.

Born in Aachen, Germany to Nigerian parents twenty five years ago, Babatunde plies her trade with Borussia Mönchengladbach at club level.

She began her career playing for DJK Armada Euchen-Würselen, a defunct boy's team.

Babatunde thereafter joined SV Budberg in 2018 after a brief stint at FC Recklinghausen, before her big move to Borussia Mönchengladbach came in 2022.

By virtue of being born to Nigerian parents, she is eligible to represent Nigeria.

Luckily, she hasn't represented Germany at any level, and therefore does not require a nationality switch to don Nigeria's green and white Jersey.

Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively confirm that Babatunde has committed her international future to the nine-time African champions over her country of birth Germany, and would jump at a call-up from Nigeria if it ever came.

An attacking midfielder by trade, her versatility knows no limits as she can also feature as a defender if the need arises.

Babatunde further acknowledged the hurdles of international football, understanding that a player may be taken out of her position to attend to the team's needs at that point in time and excitedly confessed her willingness to help the team in any position the coach decides to field her.

All eyes will now be on the hierarchy of the Nigerian Football Federation and the handlers of the Super Falcons to move for the versatile midfielder and increase the team's squad depth in that position.

Ejim Kaycee

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