'My family is Nigerian' - Arsenal U21 captain confirms eligibility to represent 9-time African champions

Talented Arsenal midfielder Omotara Junaid has confirmed that she is eligible to represent nine-time African champions, the Super Falcons. 

The 17-year-old also qualifies to represent the United States where she was born as well as England through her mother. 

Attracting dual nationals has become one of the Nigeria Football Federation's key strengths in recent years, especially under the leadership of former president Amaju Pinnick.

Four members of the Super Falcons squad to the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup were born in the United States of America, namely Ifeoma Onumonu, Toni Payne, Michelle Alozie and Yewande Balogun, while Jennifer Echegini and Ashleigh Plumptre were born in the Netherlands and England respectively.

It is confirmed the Nigeria Football Federation are keeping tabs on Junaid but she must request a one-time change of association to play for the Super Falcons as she became provisionally cap-tied to England in March 2024.

She spent part of her childhood in Nigeria before moving to England with her family.

Speaking to Arsenal's official website, Junaid stated: "I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. My family is American, Nigerian and English, and I grew up in America for the first eight years of my life. 

"In terms of football, I was mostly encouraged by my dad and my older brother, who got into it first. It was really exciting to see my family play."

Junaid represented Jacksonville Football Club and Essex FA County Girls before joining the Gunners in 2019 following a successful trial.

A member of England's squad to the 2024 Fifa U17 Women's World Cup, Juniad made a non-competitive first-team debut for Arsenal in a pre-season friendly against Southampton back in August.

As exclusively reported by allnigeriasoccer.com three months ago, Arsenal have confirmed that Junaid has been appointed captain of the Women's U21 side for the 2024-2025 season. 

Omotara's brother, Tolu Junaid trained with the Golden Eaglets in Abuja before the 2023 Africa U17 Cup of Nations.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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