‘Only Ejaria’ – NFF debunks report of FIFA clearing eight overseas-born players to switch to Nigeria

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has debunked the recent reports on local media that FIFA has cleared eight players with dual citizenship to switch to Nigeria.

IDOMA VOICE quoted OwnGoalNigeria as saying that a top official at NFF who doesn’t want his name disclosed said the world football governing body (FIFA) has cleared eight overseas-born players to switch allegiances to Nigeria Senior national team.

But, according to the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, only Reading midfielder Ovie Ejaria has been cleared by FIFA to switch allegiance to Nigeria.

“Ovie Ejaria has been cleared by FIFA to play for us (Nigeria), that I can confirm to you, I’m not aware of the others,” Pinnick told The PUNCH.

He added: “We won’t beg anybody to play for us. If you want to play for the Super Eagles, you have to write to the federation informing them of your intention. We will look at your statistics and decide if the player has what it takes to play for our national team or not.

“If you get the nod, then you know that you are going to fight for a place in the team. If the others have applied to play for us, no problem, their letters will get to my table.”

The other seven being romoured to have also been cleared are Fulham forward Ademola Lookman, Jordan Torunarigha, who plays Hertha in Germany, Southampton’s Nathan Tella, Tosin Adarabioyo (Fulham), Noni Madueke (PSV), Sheyi Ojo of Cardiff City, and forward Ike Ugbo, who is on loan at Cercle Brugge from English giants Chelsea.

Ejaria, 23, was born in England to Nigerian parents and represented the Europeans at age grade levels, winning the U-20 World Cup with them in 2017.