Olise, Madueke, and Other Nigeria Eligible Players Who May Never Play for the Super Eagles

Olise, Madueke, and Other Nigeria Eligible Players Who May Never Play for the Super Eagles

Ero Samson
updated at April 23, 2024 at 12:47 PM
In this article:
Nigeria logo
Nigeria
Nigeria
21
Super Eagles logo
Super Eagles
South Africa
Noni Madueke logo
N. Madueke
Chelsea logoFEngland logo
Chelsea logo
Chelsea
England
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England logo
England
England
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Italy logo
Italy
Italy
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Michael Olabode Kayode logo
M.Kayode
Fiorentina logoDItaly logo
Samuel Edozie logo
S.Edozie
Southampton logoFEngland logo
Southampton logo
Southampton
England
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Fiorentina logo
Fiorentina
Italy
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Michael Olise logo
M. Olise
Bayern Munich logoMEngland logo
Crystal Palace logo
Crystal Palace
England
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Gabriel Osho logo
G. Osho
AJ Auxerre logoDEngland logo
Luton Town logo
Luton Town
England
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  • Nigeria are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the June international window
  • A flurry of new Nigeria-eligible players are set to be invited to the Super Eagles setup
  • Sports Brief looks at Nigeria-eligible players that may never play for the Super Eagles

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The Nigerian national team are poised to build upon recent successes, with reports swirling about the prospect of bolstering their ranks with a plethora of talented Nigerian-eligible players.

Since clinching second place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the team has seen an influx of fresh faces, with the most notable addition being Luton Town defender, Gabriel Osho.

Reports have continued to circulate about the potential of further additions to the team, with the hope of ensuring the Super Eagles once again become the continent's footballing powerhouse.

Nigeria, Super Eagles Michael Olise, Players, Noni Madueke, Kayode Michael
Michael Olise and Noni Madueke are on the list of Nigeria-eligible players who may never play for the Super Eagles. Images: James Gill/ Michael Regan.
Source: Getty Images

While it is a matter of pride to don the jersey of one's nation of birth, it has to be mentioned that a few Nigeria-eligible players are still with reservations regarding representing the West African giants.

As such, Sports Brief spotlights a few players who may never play for the Super Eagles.

Nigeria-eligible players who may never play for the Super Eagles

Michael Olise

The dynamic winger was born in England to a Nigerian father. The Crystal Palace star has represented both France and England at youth levels, but is currently not cap-tied to either nation.

Although he was previously called up to the Nigerian team, the 22-year-old failed to feature in the two fixtures against the Benin Republic and Lesotho.

Olise has been a consistent presence in the U21 ranks of the French national team, and it is believed that with his improved form, he could soon catch the eye of national team coach, Didier Deschamps.

Samuel Edozie

Samuel Edozie is another player who might never feature for the Super Eagles. The Southampton winger, who burst onto the scene with Manchester City, has continued to feature for the junior ranks of the English national team.

The versatile attacker is yet to declare his intent to switch international allegiance, neither has he hinted in any way his desire to play for the Super Eagles.

Edozie currently boasts nine goal involvements in his 30 league appearances for Southampton this season, according to data courtesy of Fotmob.

Noni Madueke

The 22-year-old is another player Nigeria could miss out on. The former PSV Eindhoven star has also featured for the English national team at youth levels.

Amid reports of him outgrowing the age requirements to continue playing for the U21 team, the Chelsea star has remained silent about his international future.

The dynamic winger seems to be leaning towards earning a call-up to the England national team rather than featuring for Nigeria at the international level.

Michael Kayode

The Fiorentina right-back is being tipped to play for the Nigerian team. However, Italy's national team coach, Luciano Spalletti, has reiterated his intention to include the defender in his squad for the 2024 Euro.

Having achieved success with the youth ranks of the Italian team, Kayode looks poised to continue his trajectory with the senior national team ahead of Nigeria.

Tanzanian journalist warns Nigeria

Sports Brief also reported on a Tanzanian football expert warning the NFF against appointing Emmanuel Amunike as coach of the Super Eagles.

The East African journalist stressed the underwhelming results the 53-year-old had recorded with Tanzania as a major factor behind his remarks.

Authors
Ero Samson photo
Ero Samson
Samson Ero is a sports journalist with a track record of over five years in the Nigerian media industry. He graduated from Nigerian Institute of Journalism (2021-2023).