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Belgium are making a concerted push to secure the international allegiance of highly-rated winger Kazeem Olaigbe — leaving Nigeria in a race against time to convince the youngster to commit to the Super Eagles, Footynaija.com reports.
With June’s FIFA international window fast approaching, new Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia has signalled his intent to include a dual-national player — yet to be capped at senior level — in his preliminary squad list.
While Garcia declined to name the player, multiple sources, including Foot Africa, indicate that the individual in question is 22-year-old Olaigbe.
Born in Brussels in 2003 to Nigerian parents, Olaigbe came through the academy at Anderlecht before spells at Southampton and Cercle Brugge. He is currently contracted to Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais until 2029. A Belgian youth international from U15 through to U21, he remains eligible for Nigeria through his heritage.
Loan Watch: Kazeem Olaigbe with a lovely goal for Harrogate last night #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/H6hUbclXG2
— Just Saints (@JustSaints_) April 19, 2023
Garcia offered a cryptic hint at Belgium’s intentions, stating: “You will see a dual-national player on the preliminary list — just one. There’s another I can’t include because he doesn’t yet have a Belgian passport.”
The Belgian Football Association is determined to avoid another Chemsdine Talbi situation — where a promising talent slipped through their fingers — and are believed to be accelerating efforts to secure Olaigbe’s future before Nigeria can intervene.
Reports in Nigeria suggest that national team coach Eric Chelle is also monitoring the winger closely and is considering calling him up for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Olaigbe could offer added firepower on the flanks, joining the likes of Moses Simon, Nathan Tella, and Samuel Chukwueze.
Nigeria had previously pipped Belgium in securing the services of Cyriel Dessers, who made his Super Eagles debut in 2020.
