Nigeria’s long-running pursuit of dual-nationality players has taken a fresh turn, with former Super Eagles striker Osaze Odemwingie delivering a blunt message to stars yet to commit to the country.
The ex-Nigeria forward has made it clear that the national team can no longer afford to chase players who remain undecided, insisting that representing the Super Eagles must be a genuine priority, not a backup option.
His comments come amid renewed conversations around several foreign-born talents eligible to play for Nigeria, including Michael Kayode and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Kayode, currently on the books of Brentford, is one of the most talked-about names. Born in Italy to Nigerian parents, the 21-year-old right-back has already represented Italy at youth level and remains on the radar of the Azzurri.
Despite Nigeria’s interest, his international future is still unresolved, with Italy believed to hold the advantage due to his progression through their youth ranks.
Adarabioyo, on his part, has previously addressed the situation surrounding his international allegiance, stating he has not rejected Nigeria but will make a final decision at the appropriate time. However, at 28, questions continue to grow over whether the Super Eagles were ever his top choice.
Odemwingie, reacting to this recurring pattern, did not mince words. He stressed that the Nigeria Football Federation should not be in the business of persuading players endlessly, especially when there are committed talents ready to represent the country.
His stance reflects a wider frustration within Nigerian football circles, where fans and stakeholders have grown weary of players delaying decisions while keeping Nigeria as a secondary option.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is reportedly looking to reshape his squad ahead of upcoming fixtures, including the Unity Cup later this month. The plan is expected to involve a blend of established names and emerging talents, some of whom may come from the pool of dual-eligible players.
The message, however, is becoming increasingly clear. Nigeria is open to talent, but not at the cost of dignity or long-term planning.
As the Super Eagles prepare for a new phase, the spotlight now shifts to players like Kayode and others to decide where their international future truly lies.
