As the Super Eagles begin a new era under Franco-Malian tactician Eric Chelle, a wealth of untapped talent of Nigerian descent continues to emerge across Europe’s top leagues, presenting potential options for the national team’s future, PETER AKINBO writes
The story of Nigeria losing talented players of Nigerian descent to other countries has become all too familiar. From Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka choosing England over Nigeria to Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala opting for Germany despite his Nigerian roots, the list of ‘what could have been’ continues to grow.
Other notable names include Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi, Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji, and Real Madrid’s David Alaba, who have all gone on to achieve success with their adopted nations.
With several promising youngsters of Nigerian descent making waves across Europe’s top leagues, here are six potential stars who could strengthen the Super Eagles squad.
Ethan Nwaneri
At just 17, Nwaneri has already etched his name in Premier League history as Arsenal’s youngest-ever player. The attacking midfielder, born to Nigerian parents, has shown remarkable versatility under Mikel Arteta’s guidance at Arsenal.
“I’ve always had the confidence in my ability to create and score goals, to help my teammates,” Nwaneri told our correspondent during a youth tournament last year.
Despite representing England at various youth levels, including the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship where he scored crucial goals, Nwaneri remains eligible for Nigeria through his parents. His recent performances, including goals against France and Spain in the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, showcase his immense potential.
Chido Obi-Martin
Born in Copenhagen to Nigerian Igbo parents, Obi-Martin made waves in Arsenal’s youth setup with an impressive 29 goals in 17 games for the Under-18s before joining the United academy. The 16-year-old striker’s goalscoring exploits have already caught the attention of several top clubs.
Despite representing both Denmark and England at youth level, Obi-Martin’s Nigerian heritage makes him eligible for the Super Eagles.
His prolific form in front of goal – 28 goals in the 2023/24 season alone – suggests he could provide a valuable option in attack.
Shola Shoretire
The 20-year-old Newcastle-born midfielder recently made headlines after leaving Manchester United for Greek side PAOK.
Having made his professional debut for United at 17 years and 23 days – becoming their youngest European debutant – Shoretire continues to develop his game in Greece.
Since joining PAOK, he has shown glimpses of the talent that made him one of United’s most promising academy graduates, appearing in 10 matches for the Greek side and netting once.
The attacking midfielder’s versatility has been one of his strongest assets, capable of playing across the forward line or in an advanced midfield role. His technical ability, close control, and eye for a pass have drawn comparisons to former United academy graduate Paul Scholes, though Shoretire has often said he models his game on Brazil’s Ronaldinho.
Arthur Okonkwo
Currently impressing at Wrexham, Okonkwo has already caught the attention of Nigeria Football Federation’s Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen. The goalkeeper, who started his career at Arsenal’s academy, represents another option in a position where the Super Eagles have struggled for consistency.
Prior to his move to Wrexham, Okonkwo had already begun making waves during loan spells at various clubs, demonstrating his potential as a reliable shot-stopper. His younger brother Brian’s recent involvement in Arsenal’s first-team training sessions has also brought the family’s goalkeeping pedigree into focus, with both brothers showing promising signs for the future.
Standing at an imposing 6ft 6in, Okonkwo possesses the physical attributes that modern goalkeepers require. The 22-year-old’s commanding presence in the box and ability with the ball at his feet have already caught the eye of the NFF.
Noah Atubolu
Rated as one of the top five most valuable goalkeepers in the Bundesliga, Atubolu offers another interesting option between the posts.
The 22-year-old Freiburg goalkeeper, born in Germany to Nigerian parents, has kept four clean sheets in 12 Bundesliga appearances this season.
Despite the pressure of stepping into the shoes of Mark Flekken, who departed for Premier League side Brentford, Atubolu has shown remarkable composure for a 22-year-old as a Bundesliga starter.
With the Super Eagles’ goalkeeping department currently anchored by Stanley Nwabali following Maduka Okoye’s injury, Atubolu could provide quality competition in a position where Nigeria has historically produced top talents.
Tobias Lawal
LASK Linz’s Lawal presents another intriguing case in the goalkeeping department. The 24-year-old Austrian-Nigerian has experienced both sides of international football, having trained with the Super Eagles in 2020 but unable to play due to Austrian citizenship laws.
After missing out on Austria’s Euro 2024 squad, Lawal’s situation could present an opportunity for Nigeria, although he would need to resolve citizenship issues first.
Future Prospects
With Nigeria currently fifth in their World Cup qualifying group with just three points from four games, these talented youngsters could provide valuable options for strengthening the squad. However, the challenge of convincing them to choose Nigeria over their adopted nations remains, especially given the competitive nature of international football.
As Chelle begins his tenure with the goal of reaching the 2026 World Cup, the availability of such talents presents interesting possibilities for the future of Nigerian football. Whether these players will eventually don the green and white of the Super Eagles remains to be seen, but their emergence continues to highlight Nigeria’s vast football potential across the globe.