Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella ready to play for Super Eagles amid quit rumours

Allnigeriasoccer.com has been told that Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella remains committed to the Nigeria national team despite sensational reports in the local media claiming he has quit the Super Eagles due to poor treatment.

By featuring in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in November 2023, the Arsenal Hale End Academy graduate became cap-tied to Nigeria, meaning he's ineligible to represent his country of birth England, provided his Nigerian citizenship is not revoked. 

It was speculated that Tella had retired from international football simply due to his absence from Nigeria's World Cup qualifying squads in June 2024 and March 2025.

Tella was forced to withdraw at the eleventh hour from Nigeria’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and the Republic of Benin last June due to a family emergency.

The 25-year-old was genuinely injured just before the March internationals, making him miss Bundesliga games against VfB Stuttgart and VfL Bochum.

"Why would Tella reject a call-up? There was a family emergency last year, so he couldn't attend. And last month, he was injured," a top source told allnigeriasoccer.com.

"Tella is like Ademola Lookman — they're both reserved and don't talk much. He's still available to play for the Super Eagles anytime."

As exclusively reported by allnigeriasoccer.com eight years ago, Tella had always dreamed of playing for the Super Eagles even though he was eligible for England. 

This season, the former Southampton and Burnley man has made nineteen starts in all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen, registering seven goal involvements (4 goals, 3 assists). 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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