’TANA AIYEJINA takes a look at some new players, who if given a chance, or want to play for Nigeria, could bring more quality into the Super Eagles as coach Stephen Keshi prepares his side for the 2014 World Cup
Late last year, reports filtered in that Fortuna Düsseldorf defender, Leon Balogun, had indicated interest to play for Nigeria.
Born to a Nigerian father, Cesar Balogun and German mother, Orfa, Leon thus qualifies to play for the Nigerian national team and Germany. The right-back has played for Hannover and Weder Bremen before but he has not been capped by Germany at senior level.
“I will walk to Spain, then swim across the ocean, catch a canoe just to honour the call. It will be the pinnacle of my career to represent the country of my father’s birth especially because my father was always proud to be a Nigerian” Balogun told supersport.com.
Just like Balogun, there are several other players of Nigerian descent scattered all over the world, who would be willing to add to coach Stephen Keshi’s selection headache ahead of the 2014 World Cup in June.
Like they say, the more the merrier, but Keshi sure knows that selecting his final list— from his established players and those who want to break into the team— for Brazil 2014 would give him sleepless nights.
Chuks Aneke (Midfielder, Arsenal)
Arsenal youngster, Aneke, could become an invaluable asset to Keshi as the coach gradually rebuilds a new Eagles side. The 20-year-old has played for England at U-16, U-17, U-18 and U-19 levels. He has a long term future with the Eagles if he switches allegiance to Nigeria.
Currently on loan at Crewe Alexandra, he has scored two goals and two assists in seven matches. The midfielder has been likened to Gunners legend Patrick Vieira.
He has shown a great deal of versatility at Crewe, where he has played as a centre-back and defensive midfielder. Aneke has all the makings of a future star; he has quality, creativity and goal-scoring ability.
Chinedu Ede (Midfielder, Kaiserslautern)
Son of a Nigerian father and German mother, Ede has gone ahead to play for Germany at youth level, winning the European Championship in 2009. Rugged and noted for his versatility, he joined Mainz in the Bundesliga on a four-year contract in 2012 but he has been loaned out to 2 Bundesliga side Kaiserslautern.
Ede is remarkably quick, has good dribbling ability, can play in several positions and is hugely influential in moving forward.
Imoh Ezekiel (Striker, S/Liege)
Ezekiel’s exclusion from the national team still confounds some of his fans. The 20-year-old striker has been in tremendous form since he moved to Standard Liege from 36 Lions two years ago.
His goals have helped fire Standard Liege to the top of the Belgian Jupiler League. He has eight league goals and 11 in all competitions. Last season, he notched 16 goals overall and his outstanding performances this term has triggered interests from French giants Monaco and Lille.
But his steady omission by the Nigerian selectors may be Belgium’s gain as the player reportedly indicated interest to represent the European country at international level.
Kenny Otigba (Defender, SC Heerenveen)
Born in Kaduna to a Nigerian father and Hungarian mother, 21-year-old Heerenveen centre-back, Otigba, has played for the U-21 team of Hungary but he is yet to commit his international career to Nigeria or Hungary.
He rejected a second invitation to play for the Hungarian U-21s thus sparking reactions that he may want to commit his future to Nigeria.
However, the youngster is presently torn about which country he hopes to represent at senior level.
“My dad wants me to represent Nigeria at senior level. My mother is a simpler case, but I think that she would prefer me to choose Hungary.
“One of them will probably be disappointed. Fortunately, I still have time to think about it,” Otigba toldcsakfoci.hu.
The Nigerian started his European career at Gyulai Termál FC in Hungary in 2000 before moving to Békéscsaba in 2004, from where he joined Heerenveen six years ago.
Otigba has scored four goals in 12 games from his defensive position in the Dutch topflight this term and playing regularly under coach Marco van Basten is a testament to the player’s huge potential.
Derik Osede (Defender, R/Madrid B)
Born in Madrid to a Nigerian father and a Spanish mother, Osede has represented Spain at U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19 and U-20 levels, winning the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship with the U-19 side.
The Real Madrid B centre-back, who also represented Spain at the 2013 U-20 World Cup, could bring more competition to Keshi’s central defence.
The 20-year-old is a centre-back with many qualities. He is quick, decisive and a very well-rounded player, both physically and technically. He’s a clear example of a product of Madrid’s academy, having joined at the age of nine and advanced through almost all the categories.
Joel Obi (Midfielder, Parma)
Although he’s not had enough playing time at Parma due to injury, Obi is an asset to his team’s midfield on a good day.
The former Inter Milan man is an all-action player whose strengths are his passing, high work rate and tackling ability if fully fit.
Haruna Lukman (Midfielder, D/Kiev)
Dynamo Kiev midfielder Lukman has been one of Nigeria’s most consistent performers in Europe in the last two years.
Having played at the 2010 World Cup under Swede Lars Lagerback, Lukman has been in the international wilderness ever since, despite calls for his recall to the team.
The hardworking, skillful and highly technical player however says he will continue to give his best at club level.
“I have to be more focused in what I do in my club, the most important thing is to play well for my club and see if I will be called back to the national team,” Lukman told TVC.
Sone Aluko (Forward, Hull City)
Winger Aluko has been missing for more than two months with an Achilles injury but he is on the verge of a return to Premier League side Hull City. He just agreed a two-and-a-half-year extension to replace the former contract, which expired at the end of the season.
The 24-year-old made his Nigeria debut against Ireland five years ago but he has not been able to recreate his performances in English football in an Eagles shirt. He had represented England at all youth levels before agreeing to pledge his international future to Nigeria.
The fast-paced Aluko takes delight in running rings round defenders from the flanks before delivering killer-crosses for the front men to deliver.
Stefano Okaka (Striker, Parma)
Born in Italy to Nigerian parents, 24-year-old Okaka however decided to play for Italy at junior levels but he has been unable to play for the senior national team.
The deadly and powerful striker will definitely give Keshi’s present strikers a run for their money if he decides to commit his international future to Nigeria
Tiago Ilori (Defender, Liverpool)
Liverpool central defender Ilori, has a Nigerian father and Portuguese mother but represented his mother’s country at the 2013 U-20 World Cup.
Ilori’s assets are his technique, composure and tactical reading of the game.
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