Top 5 High Performing Rising Stars Eligible to Play for Nigeria in 2022

 

There are a lot of footballers of Nigerian parents abroad who has shown strong desire to play for the national team. Maybe, the pride to wear the green-white-green jersey, to represent their fatherland or perhaps, to boost their profile for a top flight football. 

Meanwhile, players like Sheyi Ojo (Millwall), Ovie Ejaria (Reading), Chuba Akpom (PAOK) and Ike Ugbo (Genk), born in England to Nigerian parents, have also made themselves available to the three-time African champions.

Whatever may be the reasons for their interest, Nigeria national team isn't an "all year come", team. A highly competitive  and only needing some high performing players to fortify the present squad. Players who can bring something different and special to the team. 

Here, we present to you five high performing rising stars who are eligible to play for Nigeria in 2022. 

It may not be visible to include any of them for the African cup of nations in January 2022, but they are available for the world Cup play off in March. And if Nigeria qualifies, they are open for selection for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar - this November 2022.

As Nigerian football federation are looking at bringing a new coach and other ways of fortifying the present squad, we feel they should also consider these five rising stars who has also keen interest and allegiance to play for Nigeria. 

1. Shola Shoretire: 17 years striker based in England. The teenage Manchester United "wonder kid" got his first minutes of professional football this season under Ralf Rangnick.

The Nigeria-eligible youngster made a substitute appearance in Manchester United Champions League draw against Young Boys

 Shola is 17years football sensation who has always gotten attention of the England national team, but his father Alexander Shoretire is bent on Shola playing for his nativeland Nigeria. 

Shola is eligible for selection into the Nigerian national team in  2022

2. Lesley Ugochukwu 18years defensive midfielder, the one they call "the new Desially" has already established himself in the Rennes first team and robbing shoulders with top guns like Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Messi in the French Ligue 1. Lesley scored his first goal as a defensive midfielder in December 2021.

Although, he has already played for French U21 national team, Lesley's father Ugochukwu Egbuchulam has made several move to get Lesley eligible to play for his fatherland Nigeria

Lesley Ugochukwu is eligible to play for Nigeria in 2022.

3. Michael Olise a sensational attacking midfielder  who plays for Crystal Palace may just be the solution Super Eagles have been seeking to fortify it central midfield and playmaker role. He just 19  and well established himself a key player in Crystal Palace first team. 

Michael is eligible to play for four countries. Olise was born in England to a Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mother. He is therefore eligible to represent France, Algeria, England and Nigeria internationally.

Although, Michael Olise has played for France U18 and U23, he has recently opted to play for Nigeria and already been named as standby player for Nigeria Afcon 2021 team. 

4. Ademola Lookman: RB Leipzig attacking midfielder who is presently on loan at Leicester city has decided to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria from England. 

The 24-year-old helped England win the Under-20 World Cup in 2017 but is eligible to play for the Super Eagles through his Nigerian parents. 

Ademola look man will be eligible to play for Nigeria from January 2022.

5. Arnaut Danjuma: The Villarreal Attacking midfielder may have recently looked to Nigeria for an international career. After a long wait to get a national team call-up from the Netherlands national team without success. 

The 24 years right winger haven't hidden his desire to play for the Dutch National team, but the frustration of not getting a call-up may have led to his recent switch of allegiance to Nigeria. 

Arnaut will be eligible to play for Nigeria in January 2022.