Versatile England-born attacker Nathan Tella has openly declared his desire to be a part of the Super Eagles squad that will represent Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco later this year, Footynaija.com reports.
Eric Chelle’s charge will be to assemble a team that can go all the way in this year’s tournament after the Super Eagles were thwarted in the final by Sebastian Haller’s triumphant return for host nation Cote D’Ivoire last time out.
Tella, who had only a debut Super Eagles appearance to his name at the time, failed to make then head coach Jose Peseiro’s squad for the tournament. This time around though, the former Burnley man is ready to do whatever it takes to make the cut.
“Because I missed out on the AFCON last year, my first aim is to be in the squad for AFCON 2025 because I saw how well the boys did, and obviously the final was unfortunate,” Tella told Olympics.
“Seeing the boys representing my country, and our country doing really well, made me proud and that’s what motivated me even more.
“To even be selected, I need to show what I can do at club level. I need to take myself to the next step because to play for Nigeria, you’re not just handed the shirt.
“You have to earn it. You have to work hard for it and then once you get in, it’s to stay in. There’s no better feeling, no bigger achievement than being able to represent your country.”
Born in England to soar with the Super Eagles
Tella was born in England to Nigerian parents of Yoruba origin, making him eligible to represent both nations. He joined Arsenal’s youth system in 2007, at the tender age of 8 and went on to spend ten years at Hale End before his release in 2017.
The then 18-year-old forward joined Southampton that same year but only got to kick-start his senior professional career with The Saints three years later. His big break would come two seasons later at Burnley where he enjoyed a sensational loan spell and helped the Clarets secure promotion to the Premier League.
That fantastic loan spell earned Tella a big move to Bayer Leverkusen, as well as a maiden call-up to the Nigeria national team in 2023. He went on to conquer the Bundesliga with Die Werkself after making his debut for the Super Eagles.