Nigeria’s football history is full of what-ifs, and for all the world-class talent the Super Eagles have produced over the decades, there is a list of players who had the right bloodline but chose a different flag.
Some turned down direct approaches, some were listed in provisional squads and never showed up, and others simply grew up in Europe’s academies and never looked back.
In this piece, Footynaija.com brings you top 10 players who refused to play for Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
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10. Noni Madueke – England
Madueke was born in London to Nigerian parents and came through the PSV Eindhoven academy before establishing himself at Chelsea.
The NFF made contact as early as 2020 when he was still a teenager in the Netherlands, but Madueke stayed on an England path, representing the Young Lions at multiple youth levels. A direct, pacey winger, he’s a profile Nigeria needs on the right flank.
9. Carney Chukwuemeka – Austria
Born in Austria to Nigerian parents and raised in England, Chukwuemeka had three nations to choose from. He came through Aston Villa’s academy, represented England at youth levels, and eventually received FIFA approval to switch his sporting nationality to Austria, where he was born.
The NFF were aware of him, but the window closed before any formal move came. He’s a technically gifted attacking midfielder currently at Borussia Dortmund on loan from Chelsea.
8. Tammy Abraham – England
Abraham was born in London to Nigerian parents and became a prolific striker at the top level in both England and Italy. His debut season at Roma produced 27 goals, and his physical, mobile profile would have made him a devastating partner for Victor Osimhen.
He committed to England at youth level and made his senior Three Lions debut in 2017. The NFF were aware of his eligibility but lost the race without much of a fight.
7. Fikayo Tomori – England
Born in Canada to Nigerian parents but raised in England, Tomori became one of the best centre-backs in Serie A at AC Milan. Interesting he said if Nigeria had called, he would have gone.
The NFF apparently never made a formal approach, making this less a case of refusal and more a costly oversight. England capped him at senior level before anyone could correct the mistake.
6. David Alaba – Austria
Alaba’s father was Nigerian and his mother Filipino, yet he grew up in Austria and became one of the finest players the continent has ever produced.
A four-time Champions League winner, with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, who captained Austria across a 15-year international career, Alaba was one of the most complete defenders of his generation, comfortable at left-back, centre-back, or in central midfield at the highest level.
The NFF reportedly didn’t move quickly enough before Austria secured his commitment as a teenager.
5. Jamal Musiala – Germany
Born in Stuttgart to a Yoruba Nigerian father and a German mother, Musiala grew up in England and was eligible for all three nations. Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr held talks with him, and Musiala acknowledged it.
“I could have played for Nigeria because it crossed my mind and I thought about it well. I had good talks with Nigeria and Germany,” the player said, as reported by BBC Sport.
He chose Germany, his country of birth, went on to win Euro 2024’s Golden Boot, and is now regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world. Nigeria was genuinely in the conversation and still lost him.
4. Eberechi Eze – England
Eze is of Igbo descent, with both parents from Nigeria. He trained with the Super Eagles as a teenager in 2017, the photograph of him in a Nigeria kit alongside Alex Iwobi and then-NFF president Amaju Pinnick still circulates widely.
Nigeria pursued him seriously for years. Pinnick later revealed that Eze and his family had agreed in principle, until NFF elections disrupted the process and Pinnick left office.
England came calling, Eze made his senior Three Lions debut in June 2023, and the door shut for good. He’s now at Arsenal after a €69 million move from Crystal Palace.
3. Michael Olise – France
Olise was born in London to a Nigerian father and a Franco-Algerian mother, making him eligible for four nations. The NFF named him in their provisional squad for the 2021 AFCON qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho, but he didn’t join up and reportedly skipped a planned meeting with Pinnick ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
He chose France, citing childhood idols Zidane and Thierry Henry, and moved to Bayern Munich for €60 million in 2024. Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh was blunt.
“He should not be wearing the French national team jersey. He should be wearing the green-white-green of Nigeria,” the Ex-Super Eagles star said.
2. Dele Alli – England
Alli was born in Milton Keynes to a Nigerian father from Edo State and grew up in England, where he rose through the MK Dons academy to become one of the most exciting midfielders in the Premier League.
At his peak at Tottenham, he was arguably one of the five best midfielders in England, with goals, assists, creativity, and a knack for the big moment. The NFF were aware of him but never made a serious enough move, and Alli committed to England at youth level before making his senior debut in 2015.
Injuries and a loss of form derailed his career in the years that followed, but the Dele Alli of 2016 to 2019 would have been a transformative star in any Super Eagles midfield.
1. Bukayo Saka – England
There is no greater loss. Saka’s full name, Bukayo Moses Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka, carries his Nigerian heritage in every syllable, with both parents from Nigeria. The NFF made their move, but his family indicated they didn’t want him pressured.
“I feel really, really proud of my Nigerian heritage. I always still watch Nigeria’s games. But I’ve seen the process of how England are transforming and I felt it was right for me to choose England,” Saka said in a 2019 interview.
He accepted his first senior England call-up in 2020 and hasn’t looked back since. A Euro 2024 finalist, one of Arsenal’s most important players, and one of the best wingers in world football.
