Endurance Alade: Nigeria Eligible Dutch Defender Opens Up on Super Eagles Ambition

• The Super Eagles have emerged as a source of pride for numerous Nigeria-eligible players
• Their performance at the AFCON in Ivory Coast has notably enhanced the team's allure
• A Dutch-born defender has now expressed his ambition to join the ranks of the Super Eagles

Representing one's country of origin has become a noticeable trend in modern football.

Several top-tier players have recently chosen to play for their ancestral country rather than their country of birth, even when the allure of representing their birth nation seems stronger.

The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, is currently experiencing a surge in this trend, with numerous players eligible for Nigeria openly expressing their desire to represent the country.

Most recently, Luton Town forward, Elijah Adebayo, spoke to Sky Sports about his dream to play for Nigeria.

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This follows shortly after his club teammate, Gabriel Osho, received a call-up to the Nigerian national team.

The appeal of playing for the Super Eagles appears to be increasing, especially after the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Dutch-born defender, Endurance Alade, is the latest player to announce his ambition to play for Nigeria.

Endurance speaks on playing for Nigeria

In an interview with Sports Brief, the VV Spijkenisse defender expressed his lifelong dream of representing the Super Eagles.

"Ever since I began my football career, I've been steadfast in my decision never to play for the Netherlands.

When asked why he would choose Nigeria over the Netherlands, the versatile defender asserted,

"If the Netherlands were to call me up, I would decline, even if it's hard for some people to believe.

I believe that by playing for Nigeria, I would be greatly appreciated. I admire the affection shown to Victor Osimhen, and I aspire to receive such love. My goal is to become the best defender for the Super Eagles.

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For me, the Netherlands is never my team; I am Nigerian."

Endurance also discussed the recent performances of the Super Eagles and how he could contribute to the team.

"I believe I can enhance the ball-playing skills within the current defensive lineup of the Super Eagles. Ola Aina is a defender who has impressed me a lot, and I aim to bring flair to the Nigerian team similar to his style."

He concluded by urging the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to intensify their scouting efforts and search for Nigerian talent across Europe, citing the successful approach used by the Moroccan Football Federation as a model to follow.

Endurance's impressive performance has attracted transfer interest from several clubs across Europe, including Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Fortuna Sittard, and FC Den Bosch. It remains uncertain which club the versatile defender will opt to join in the upcoming summer transfer window.

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In another report, Sports Brief highlighted former Super Eagles midfielder, Friday Ekpo's expectations of Finidi George.

The 54-year-old emphasised the interim coach's crucial role in constructing a team capable of achieving sustained success.