WATCH THE VIDEO HERE Coach Eric Chelle, who made his name as Mali’s national team coach, has the primary goal of qualifying the Super Eagles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Note that they are currently sitting in the 5th spot in Group C, four points below the first three teams in the group. Hence, the Malian coach is expected to do an extra job in ensuring that the team grab the qualification spot. One of the extra works Chelle might have to do would be convincing the under-listed players to switch allegiance to Nigeria and play for the Super Eagles. Below are the top 6 Nigerian-born Players Eligible To Play For Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles 1. Ethan Nwaneri Although he has represented England at various youth levels—most notably during the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship where he scored key goals—Nwaneri remains eligible to represent Nigeria through his heritage. His standout performances, particularly his goals against France and Spain in the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, highlight his significant potential. 2. Chido Obi-Martin Having represented both Denmark and England at youth level, Obi-Martin’s Nigerian roots keep him in contention for a future with the Super Eagles. His impressive tally of 28 goals in the 2023/24 season emphasizes his capability as a valuable attacking option. 3. Shola Shoretire Known for his versatility, Shoretire excels in various roles across the forward line and in advanced midfield positions. His technical abilities and creativity have drawn parallels to former United star Paul Scholes, although he often cites Brazil’s Ronaldinho as his inspiration. 4. Arthur Okonkwo Standing at an impressive 6 feet 6 inches, Okonkwo embodies the qualities modern goalkeepers need, and his commanding presence in the box, coupled with sound ball skills, positions him well within Nigeria’s goalkeeping landscape, especially amidst the search for consistency in that role. 5. Noah Atubolu In light of current injuries affecting the Super Eagles’ goalkeeping department, Atubolu could be an instrumental figure in providing significant competition and depth in a position where Nigeria has produced many talented players historically. 6. Tobias Lawal With the recent developments following his exclusion from Austria’s Euro 2024 squad, there may be an opportunity for Lawal to represent Nigeria, provided he addresses the citizenship issues first. Looking Ahead As the Super Eagles of Nigeria sit fifth in their World Cup qualifying group with only three points from four matches, the emergence of these talented youngsters provides an optimistic outlook for strengthening the national squad. However, the key challenge remains in persuading them to represent Nigeria over their adopted nations, especially in an increasingly competitive international landscape. Under the guidance of their new coach, Eric Chelle, who aims to lead the team to the 2026 World Cup, the integration of these promising players offers exciting possibilities for Nigerian football. The continued rise of such talents underscores Nigeria’s rich potential in the world of football.
The newly appointed Super Eagles of Nigeria head coach, Eric Chelle, has a good number of Nigerian-born players who he could convince to join the national team as he aims to inject fresh direction into the team.
At just 17 years old, Ethan Nwaneri has already made history by becoming Premier League’s youngest-ever player. Born to Nigerian parents, the attacking midfielder has displayed impressive versatility under Mikel Arteta’s mentorship at Arsenal.
Chido Obi-Martin, born in Copenhagen to Nigerian Igbo parents, has made a remarkable impact in Arsenal’s youth system, netting 29 goals in just 17 appearances for the Under-18s before moving to the United academy. At 16, this dynamic striker has already drawn the attention of top clubs due to his remarkable scoring ability.
Shola Shoretire, a 20-year-old midfielder from Newcastle, made headlines after his transfer from Manchester United to Greek side PAOK. He became United’s youngest European debutant at just 17 years and 23 days old. Since joining PAOK, Shoretire has demonstrated the skills that made him a promising prospect in the United academy, contributing in 10 matches and scoring once.
Currently showcasing his talents at Wrexham, goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has attracted the attention of Nigeria’s Football Federation, led by Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen. A former Arsenal academy player, Okonkwo has made significant strides during various loan spells, illustrating his potential as a reliable shot-stopper.
Noah Atubolu has emerged as one of the top five most valuable goalkeepers in the Bundesliga, representing yet another exciting option for Nigeria. The 22-year-old goalkeeper from Freiburg, born to Nigerian parents, has kept four clean sheets in 12 Bundesliga matches this season. Despite the challenge of succeeding Mark Flekken, who moved to the Premier League, Atubolu has demonstrated impressive composure for his age.
24-year-old goalkeeper for LASK Linz, Tobias Lawal presents another compelling option in Nigeria’s goalkeeping pool. His experience includes training with the Super Eagles in 2020, although he was unable to participate due to citizenship constraints in Austria.
Top 6 Nigerian-born Players Eligible To Play For Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles
