Italy U21 coach Silvio Baldini spoke to reporters on Monday ahead of his side's crucial European U21 Championship qualifiers against North Macedonia and Sweden.

During the press conference, Baldini was asked about the first call-up of Atalanta centre-back Honest Ahanor to the Azzurrini squad.

Ahanor, who obtained an Italian passport upon reaching the age of majority, has chosen to represent Italy for now despite being on the radar of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Although born in Aversa, Italy, the Genoa academy graduate is eligible to play for the Super Eagles through his Nigerian parents.

When asked about Ahanor’s maiden call-up to the Azzurrini squad, Baldini stressed the importance of integration and team spirit for young players.

In quotes relayed by the official website of the Italian Football Federation, he stated: "He'll have to make himself available to the group, trying to do his best.

"The important thing is that he has a sense of belonging to the group and to Italy's national team, regardless of whether he plays or not."

The 18-year-old Ahanor will be provisionally cap-tied to Italy if he makes his Azzurrini debut against North Macedonia or Sweden, meaning he would need to apply for a change of association to represent Nigeria in the future.

Ahanor is not the only Nigeria-eligible player in contention to feature for Italy's youth teams in March, with Juve Stabia's Alvin Obinna Okoro called up to the U20s and Atalanta's Javison Osarumwense Idele included in the U19 squad.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel