Arthur Okonkwo Reveals How Eric Chelle Persuaded Him to Abandon England and Commit to Nigeria’s Super Eagles

Arthur Okonkwo has broken his silence on the behind-the-scenes process that led to him switching international allegiance from England to Nigeria, revealing that initial contact was made by Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle and the team’s goalkeeper coach during private conversations last summer.

“I think it all started last summer. I spoke to the manager (Eric Chelle) and the goalie coach and they showed their interest in me and, you know, the conversations were very positive. And, you know, ever since that point, we’ve been trying to get my switch done from English to Nigerian,” Okonkwo said.

The London-born shot-stopper, who came through Arsenal’s academy and represented England at Under-16, Under-17, and Under-18 level, required formal FIFA approval to complete the transition. The Nigeria Football Federation spent the better part of a year navigating the governing body’s eligibility regulations before the switch was formally ratified. Such applications typically require players to demonstrate they have not represented a senior national team in a competitive fixture, a threshold Okonkwo met having only featured in England youth setups.

Now 24 and under contract with Wrexham, Okonkwo has developed into one of the more reliable goalkeepers in the English Championship. During the most recent season, he recorded 11 clean sheets across 44 appearances, a return that includes a standout performance in which he made seven saves against Nottingham Forest. His profile — built on strong distribution, aerial command, and shot-stopping ability — drew the attention of Chelle’s technical team as they sought to reinforce Nigeria’s goalkeeping options.

Okonkwo described the moment he received official confirmation of his first call-up as a significant personal milestone. “So yeah, when the moment finally arose and the goalie coach was the first to message me to let me know that I’ve been selected for the camp. You know, it’s just, you feel the surge, with so much excitement,” he said.

The Super Eagles officially announced Okonkwo’s inclusion in the squad on May 19, 2026, with the player photographed holding the green-and-white jersey. His clearance was fast-tracked in time for Nigeria’s Unity Cup match against Zimbabwe, scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in London.

Okonkwo’s arrival creates direct competition for the number one position currently held by Stanley Nwabali, who has been Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper in recent campaigns. Nwabali played a prominent role during Nigeria’s run to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, where the Super Eagles were defeated by Ivory Coast. The addition of Okonkwo provides Chelle with a credible alternative and signals an intention to increase competition across all positions within the squad.

Chelle, who was appointed Super Eagles head coach earlier this year, has overseen a transitional period for Nigerian football following the AFCON 2025 campaign. The Unity Cup fixture against Zimbabwe will be among the first high-profile tests of his squad selections and tactical approach. For Okonkwo, the match represents an opportunity to make an early impression at senior international level after a switch that, by his own account, took nearly 12 months to complete.