Several footballers eligible to play for Nigeria find themselves torn between representing the country of their upbringing or returning to their roots. While some choose to play for the nations where they developed their careers, others contemplate the possibility of representing Nigeria. Here, Sportblog247.com takes a look at top Nigeria-eligible players who missed out on their country’s EURO 2024 squad list.

1. Karim Adeyemi – Germany/Borussia Dortmund Famous for his memorable goal against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League, the Borussia Dortmund winger has strong ties to his Nigerian roots in Ibadan. Adeyemi has played for Germany four times, last representing them in 2022 at age 20. This leaves a window of opportunity for him to switch to the Super Eagles, a prospect he has shown interest in.
2. Tosin Adarabioyo – England/Fulham The 26-year-old Fulham central defender is attracting attention from top Premier League clubs as his contract nears expiration. Despite representing England at youth levels, Adarabioyo’s two goals in 20 games for Fulham weren’t enough to secure a spot in Gareth Southgate’s EURO 2024 squad. He has shown his connection to Nigeria, celebrating the country’s Independence Day and donning a retro Nigerian jersey, making a switch of nationality a possibility.
3. Dominic Ayodele Solanke – England/Bournemouth Solanke scored 19 goals and provided three assists for Bournemouth in the Premier League this season but was not selected over Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, and Harry Kane for the England squad. Born in England to a Nigerian father, Solanke has represented England at all levels, with his only senior appearance being a friendly against Brazil in 2017. He remains eligible to play for Nigeria.
4. Michael Folorunsho – Italy/Hellas Verona Folorunsho scored a stunning goal against Juventus, earning him a call-up to Italy’s squad for the March International break, though he didn’t play. Left out of Italy’s EURO 2024 squad, Folorunsho, born in Italy to Nigerian parents, remains an option for the Super Eagles, offering a strong midfield presence.
5. Michael Akpovie Olise – France/Crystal Palace Didier Deschamps opted for other wingers over the Crystal Palace star, leaving Olise out of France’s EURO 2024 squad. With eligibility for France, Algeria, England, and Nigeria, Olise is a versatile option. Despite his standout season with 10 goals and six assists, he remains without a senior cap. Reports suggest Olise is open to representing Nigeria if France is no longer an option.
6. Joshua Orobosa Zirkzee – Netherlands/Bologna Born to a Nigerian mother and Dutch father, Zirkzee is eligible for Nigeria and has expressed openness to the move. Despite scoring 11 goals and providing five assists to help Bologna qualify for the Champions League, he was overlooked for the Netherlands squad in favor of Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst.
7. Lesley Ugochukwu – France/Chelsea Ugochukwu’s debut season at Chelsea was hampered by injuries, limiting him to 12 league games. Despite his talent, he did not make Didier Deschamps’ squad, with N’Golo Kante preferred. Ugochukwu, the nephew of former Nigeria center-back Onyekachi Apam, has also spent time in Nigeria, maintaining his eligibility for the Super Eagles.

These players face the critical decision of which national team to represent, balancing career ambitions with cultural ties. As they consider their international futures, Nigeria remains a viable and welcoming option for their talents.