With the increasing influx of
Nigerian into Europe, Nigerian born players have been able to integrate
themselves into European countries by naturalization. This has made them to
have dual citizenship after living there for a number of years. This fact has
made Nigerian born players to play for their adoptive countries. This is so
with the likes of Oguchi Onyewu, David Alaba, Sidney Sam, Emmanuel Adebayor,
Gabriel Agbonlahor, Angelo Ogbonna, Jores Okore all electing to play for their
Adoptive countries. In 2013, young “Nigerians” have emerged, all waiting to realize
their full potential, the next paragraphs will outline top “Nigerian born”prospects
currently plying their trade in England
Dominic Solanke:
Dominic Solanke (born 14
September 1997) is a forward currently playing in Chelsea's Academy team. Born
to a Nigerian father. Dominic has been with Chelsea since Under-8 level, he
recently made his Under-18 debut as an Under-15 in February 2013. He has been
capped by England at Under-16 level, but is also eligible for Nigeria. Dominic
is currently a schoolboy and is set to begin a scholarship in July 2014. For a
player that his age grade level is meant to be in the Under- 15 category, his
quality talks when he is being asked to play for the Chelsea's Under- 18, he
has scored only two goals in ten appearances for the Under- 18.
Ola Aina:
Ola Aina (born 8 October 1996
in London).Ola joined Chelsea at Under-11 after a successful trial. He formerly
played as a right winger with an eye for goal when younger. He now plays mainly
as a highly mobile right-back having developed the defensive side of his game,
and can also play centre-back and left-back. Ola made his Under-18 debut as an Under-16 in
November 2012. He impressed in his first few appearances and earned starts in
both legs of the Semi Final and Final of the 2012-13 FA Youth Cup, despite
having a number of older alternatives ahead of him. Ola has been capped by
England at Under-16 and Under-17 levels.
Tiago Ilori:
Tiago Abiola Ilori (born 26
February 1993 in London) is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Premier
League club Liverpool as a central defender. He has a English father of
Nigerian descent and a Portuguese mother as his parents. He has represented Portugal at different age
groups ranging from Under- 18, 19, 20. Although, Ilori has not made his first
team debut for Liverpool since his move from Sporting Lisbon, he has made various
appearances for Liverpool's under 21 team hoping to regain full fitness after
nursing a broken hand all through pre-season.
Chuba Akpom:
Chuba Amechi Akpom (born 9
October 1995) is an English footballer of Nigerian descent who plays as a
striker for Arsenal and England under-19s. A powerful forward who can play
anywhere across the forward line. Chuba first played for the Under-18s when he
was just 15. The pacy front man was a regular in Arsenal's youth set-up last
season despite still being a schoolboy, making 15 appearances and scoring
twice. This season is almost close to a breakthrough year for him because he
made the list for Arsenal's 2013 tour in asia, and was handed his first
competitive debut for Arsenal in September against Sunderland. He also played
in Arsenal's Capital One cup win over West Brom, in which he converted his spot
kick when called upon. Chuba has represented England at U16, U17, U19 age
grade.
Chuks Aneke:
Chukwuemeka Ademola Amachi
"Chuks" Aneke (born 3 July 1993) is an English footballer of Nigerian
descent who plays as a Midfielder for Crewe Alexandra on loan from Arsenal. Aneke
is a player not known for his pace, but the ability to see a pass and physical
strength. Aneke has been at Arsenal since 2010. Aneke has been a revelation for
Crewe this season, in which he has already scored two goals for them this
season. Aneke has been capped by England at Under- 16, 17, 18, 19 levels.
Semi Ajayi:
Semi Ajayi (born 9 November
1993) is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Arsenal. A Nigerian youth
international, London-born Ajayi came through the Charlton Athletic Academy. Ajayi
joined the Arsenal Academy after impressing as a trialist with the Club. The
19-year-old scored on his debut for the under-21s in a 3-0 victory over
Blackburn Rovers, before putting in another accomplished display for Steve
Gatting’s side in a 1-0 win
over West Bromwich Albion at Emirates Stadium earlier in September. He has
represented Nigeria three times during the Under- 20 World Cup in Turkey.
Jordon Ibe:
Jordon Ashley Femi Ibe (born
8 December 1995) is an English footballer with a Nigerian descent who plays for
Liverpool as a winger. Ibe signed for Liverpool after previous spells at
Charlton and Wycombe Wanderers. On 19 May 2013, Ibe made his Premier League
debut for Liverpool in the final game of the season against Queens Park
Rangers. He made his first start of the 2013/2014 season on 27 August, playing
120 minutes as Liverpool beat Notts County 4-2 after extra-time in the League
Cup second round. Jordon Ibe has represented England at Under-18, 19 age
grades.
David Amoo:
David Oluwaseun Segun Amoo
(born 13 April 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays for
Carlisle United in League One. He plays either as a winger or as a striker. Amoo
started out at Liverpool, making one appearance in a 2-0 Europa League win
against Rabotnicki in July 2010. After loan spells at MK Dons, Hull and Bury,
he moved to Preston in July 2012, although he played just 24 games before a
move to Tranmere in January. On 13 June 2013, Amoo signed a two-year deal with
Carlisle United. He scored his first goal against Leyton Orient on 3 August
2013 in the league. He later went on to score a brace in the League Cup four
days later against Blackburn. Amoo still remains eligible to play for Nigeria.
Alex Iwobi:
Alex Iwobi (born 3 May 1996 Lagos,
Nigeria) Iwobi is a versatile forward. He is also capable of playing anywhere
across the front line. The talented youngster, has been with Arsenal since the age of eight.
He is also known to be the nephew of Ex- Nigerian international, Jay Jay Okocha.
He has earned international recognition with England at Under-16 level.
Conclusively, I feel the NFA
should find ways in which they can convince these top prospects to play for
their fatherland. "Rome wasn't built in a day", this idiom should be
followed, in the sense that these players should be integrated into Nigerian
Youth levels until they are ready to play for the senior team. This will give
them slick understanding among themselves and good adaption to the physicality
of African style of play.
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