Chuba Akpom set to follow Chelsea’s Ola Aina and Snub England for Nigeria

Chuba Akpom is nearly joining the ranks of the English-born footballers announcing to play for Nigeria, though the 21-year old is yet to make a final decision on his international future. The Arsenal striker has been undergoing training with the Nigeria team in Barnet this week. This is in line with Nigerian Football Federation’s effort to recruit the next generation of young Nigerian players born in England. This week, The Independent reports that after 20 years of not performing well, the NFF is set to make the most of its English-based players before competing on the 2018 World Cup and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi was added to the team in 2015 and now believe that they have persuaded Akpom, Iwobi’s best friend and former Arsenal youth team mate, to play for them as well. Chuba played for England from under-16 up to under-21 level, and then played for Gareth Southgate’s England Under-21s just last September 2016. He had a good time with Nigeria this weekend and is seen to joining them for the future match ups. Chuba will likely be in Nigeria’s squad for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa in June. He is on loan from Arsenal to Brighton and Hove Albion and is expected to leave this summer. Chuba will join Iwobi in a new group of English-born or English-raised Nigerian players. Ola Aina, the Chelsea right back who has played for England Under-20 level, was preparing in Barnet too this week and is also set to represent his parents’ nation from this summer onwards. Other players who are expected to play for Nigeria are Eberechi Eze of Queens Park Rangers, Josh Maja of Sunderland, Fred Onyedinma of Millwall and Joe Aribo of Charlton. Ademola Lookman of Everton who played for England Under 20s on Saturday, hasn’t decided yet as to which country he will represent at senior level.


source: http://ift.tt/2o6mzHr
http://ift.tt/eA8V8J