Here is a full list of players who chose to play for countries other than Nigeria, even though they are of Nigerian descent.
The number of talented players who play for other countries is a very long list, even though they are of Nigerian descent. These players decided to play for other countries instead of Nigeria due to one specific reason or the other. We compiled a list of the top 10 players who made this decision.
Who are the players that chose other countries instead of Nigeria?
- Emmanuel Adebayor
- Bukayo Saka
- Tammy Abraham
- David Alaba
- Ross Barkley
- Gabriel Agbonlahor
- Dele Alli
- Fikayo Tomori
- Angelo Ogbonna
- Dennis Aogo
What Country Did Emmanuel Adebayor Choose Instead Of Nigeria?
Emmanuel Adebayor chose to play for Togo, even though he was eligible to play for Nigeria because he was of Nigerian descent, even though he was born in Lome, Togo. He was a very influential player at the club and international level as he aided Togo's qualification for the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations. He scored a total of 11 goals in the qualifiers alone.
Adebayor made a total of 85 appearances for Togo and scored a total of 32 goals before he retired from football.
What Country Did Bukayo Saka Choose Instead Of Nigeria?
The young Arsenal star, Bukayo Saka, was selected for the England senior national team. Because he made over four appearances for the senior team, he was no longer eligible to play for Nigeria. So far, since his call-up in 2020, he has made 14 appearances for the senior team, including the Euro 2020 and has scored a total of 4 goals.
Hot stories
What Country Did Tammy Abraham Choose Instead Of Nigeria?
In October 2019, Tammy Abraham was undecided about his future as he had not played a single game for England. Still, when he received the call up for the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying matches and made his first appearance on 11 October 2019, he decided to play for England instead of Nigeria. So far, he has made a total of 10 appearances for England and has scored 3 goals so far.
What Country Did David Alaba Choose Instead Of Nigeria?
David Alaba is the current captain of the Austrian side after receiving the call up to play for Austria in October 2009. The Real Madrid player has played a total of 92 games for Austria and has scored a total of 14 goals to date.
What Country Did Ross Barkley Choose Instead Of Nigeria?
Ross Barkley opted to play for England instead of Nigeria after he received his call up to the senior England squad in August 2013. He has so far played a total of 33 games and has scored a total of 6 goals for England.
What Country Did Gabriel Agbonlahor Choose Instead Of Nigeria?
On 7 March 2007, the former Super Eagles manager Berti Vogts named Gabriel Agbonlahor in the 37-man provisional Nigeria squad. Still, he did not feature for Nigeria but rather England in 2008, where he played only 3 games and scored no goals.
What Country Did Dele Alli Choose Instead Of Nigeria?
It was reported in February 2015 that legend John Fashanu was trying to convince Dele Alli to play for Nigeria, but former England coach Roy Hodgson named the youngster in his squad. The midfield genius played a total of 37 games for England and scored a total of 3 goals for the side.
What Country Did Fikayo Tomori Choose Instead Of Nigeria?
Fikayo was eligible to play for three different countries: Nigeria, Canada and England. He had initially played for the Canadian U 21 squad but chose to play for England's senior team. He has made a total of 2 appearances for the England senior team but has not recorded a goal for the side.
What Country Did Angelo Ogbonna Choose Instead Of Nigeria?
Angelo Ogbonna currently represents Italy at the international level. He has played a total of 13 games for Italy but has scored no goals.
What Country Did Dennis Aogo Choose Instead Of Nigeria?
Aogo played for the German U21 team. He could not play for the Nigerian national team at the time because of FIFA regulations, despite having previously represented Germany at youth and age-group levels. However, FIFA lifted the age barrier for changing nationality in 2004, allowing Aogo to play for Nigeria. He stated his willingness to continue representing Germany despite declining many invites from the Nigerian Football Association. Nigeria intended to call him up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, but Aogo said on 5 January 2010 that he would only play for Germany.
