Kazeem Olaigbe: What Southampton product targeted by Eric Chelle said about international future

Southampton academy graduate Kazeem Olaigbe is on the longlist of Nigeria-eligible players being targeted by Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle ahead of the June 2025 internationals, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

After leaving Southampton in 2023, Olaigbe wore the colours of Cercle Brugges before a celebrated move to French Ligue 1 club Rennes in the January transfer window. 

Born in Brussels to Nigerian parents, Olaigbe has played for his country of birth Belgium at U15, U16, U17, U19, U20 and U21 level.

By featuring in a European U17 Championship qualifier against Liechtenstein in October 2019, the former De Jonge Duivels captain became provisionally cap-tied to Belgium. 

In an interview with Belgian broadcaster RTBF (Belgian Radio and Television of the French Community) in November 2023, Olaigbe suggested that he was leaning towards representing Belgium over Nigeria.

However, he has not played for Belgium U21s since November 2024, having been left out of the squad for the 2-1 win over Sweden last month. 

"My parents are Nigerian (...) But I was born here, so I feel more Belgian and I see my future with the Red Devils," Olaigbe was quoted a saying by Voetbal Belgie.  

"In any case, I am not aware of any interest from Nigeria." 

Given the presence of top forwards such as Romelu Lukaku, Michy Batshuayi, Leandro Trossard and Jérémy Doku, Olaigbe finds himself far down the pecking order, making a senior national team call-up highly unlikely for now.

Like Ademola Lookman, Olaigbe is a modern day forward comfortable across the front line—whether as a winger, attacking midfielder or center forward.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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