Endurance Alade: Nigeria Eligible Star Rues Flying Eagles Performance at African Games

• Endurance Alade was unimpressed as Nigeria failed to win a medal in a football event of the African Games
• The youngster, who plies his trade in the Netherlands, says he would have done better if he had the chance
• The VV Spijkenisse defender has expressed interest in playing for Nigeria, the home country of his parents

Nigeria-eligible youngster, Endurance Alade, has decried the Flying Eagles' performance at the ongoing All-African Games.

The U20 team lost 3-2 to their Senegalese counterparts in their final Group B game and it was the team’s second defeat in three group stage fixtures.

Ladan Bosso's boys are out of the tournament after failing to advance from the group stage at the ongoing competition in Ghana.

Alade, who joined Dutch club VV Spijkenisse last summer, believes he would have made an impact in the team.

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The 18-year-old, who was born in the Vlissingen municipality, stated that he would improve the defence of the squad.

The former Excelsior Maassluis player told Sports Brief:

"I would have given more than 200 percent to the team. I believe I would have played better considering my skills, especially my defensive and attacking ability."

Asked if he would love to play for Nigeria ahead of the Netherlands, Alade replied:

"My mother would be very proud of me; it would mean something special to her that her son can represent her country.

"I would play in an organized manner with courage and passion, and above all, show my football qualities."

The prodigy also lauded Jay Jay Okocha for his exploits during his playing days, branding the mercurial midfielder as his idol.

"I look up to Jay Jay Okocha. For me, he is Nigeria's greatest footballer of all time."

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Michael Folorunso mulls playing for Nigeria

Meanwhile, Michael Folorunsho is high up on the list of Nigeria-eligible players to have caught the attention of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The 26-year-old, who has been in sizzling form since the start of the season, again scored a long-range screamer in Hellas Verona's win against Leece.

The versatile midfielder, who is yet to decide on his international allegiance, has attracted interest from both Nigeria and Italy.

England invite 8 Nigeria-eligible players

Sports Brief earlier reported that Nigeria is set to lose eight players to England after the Three Lions invited a number of youngsters to their youth team rosters for the forthcoming international window.

Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri and Newcastle United’s Trevan Sanusi have been called up to the England U17 roster for the UEFA U17 Euro elite round qualifiers this week, the FA has announced.

Nwaneri has made at least 21 appearances for England's U17s and was named in the Young Lions squad for the 2023 U17 Euro and FIFA U17 World Cup.