By Freedom Ekawu

With only days to the world cup, other nations have already released their squad for the competition, alongside other top African teams. Although the Super Eagles of Nigeria didn’t qualify for the competition, some nations have already called up players of Nigerian decent.
Ahead of the competition, we beam the searchlight on a couple of players who should be representing the country Nigeria.

1. MANUEL AKANJI( SWITZERLAND); Premier league player of Manchester City is a player of Nigerian lineage that is set to feature for Switzerland in the Middle East nation. The 27 year old was born in Neftenbanch, Switzerland, to a Nigerian father and swiss mother. This would be Akanji’s second appearance in the competition after featuring in the previous edition, four years ago.

2.BUKAYO SAKA(ENGLAND); The Arsenal youngster has fast become a key player for the gunners under Spaniard, Mikel Arteta. He was born in London to Nigerian parents, and therefore was eligible to feature for the Three Lions of England, as well as the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Since making his debut in 2020, he has featured 22 times and has gone on to score 4 goals so far. He would definitely be a key player heading in to the world cup for Gareth Southgate, aiming to go farther than their semi-final exit fours year ago.

3. JAMAL MUSIALA (GERMANY); Bayern Munich young sensation was also included in the German squad for this years world cup. The former Chelsea academy player was born to a British Nigerian father and a mother of German decent, featured for the English youth sides but went on to snub them and the Nigerian team to represent his mothers nation, Germany. He made his debut in 2021 of march, and has went on to feature 16 more times, with a goal to his name. He would definetly be among the players the German manager, Hansi Flick would be banking on to secure another trophy for the nation since 2014.

4. NOAH AKANJI( SWITZERLAND)
Asides from Akanji of the Swiss National team, Okafor shares a similiarity with the Manchester City centre back in the sense that he was born to a Nigerian Father and a Swiss born mother.
He was born in Binningen, the 22 year old featured for the youth team in all levels, before making his debut In 2019. He scored the goal that secured qualification to Qatar for his national side, which turned out to be his first international goal. This year’s edition would be his first appearance in the prestigious competition.

5. KARIM ADEYEMI ( GERMANY); Adeyemi was born to a Nigerian father and a Romanian mother. His father reportedly moved to Germany in the 1990’s to pursue a career in football.
The 20 year old has represented the nation at all youth levels and made his senior debut in September 2021, in a world cup qualification against Armenia. Hansi Flick will be flaunting the youngster this tournament, a player who has been poised for a bright future, he presently plies his trade in Germany with Borussia Dortmund.

6. IKE UGBO( CANADA); He was born in London, to Nigerian Parents but his family later moved to Canada, when he was only five years of age. While he was eligible to represent the three nations, he represented England, at youth level. In September of last year, he pledged his allegiance to Nigeria, but later made a U turn two months later, to commit his future to Canada. Overall, he has made eight appearances for the reds so far. Making his debut in world cup qualifying rounds in 2022 against Costa Rica.

7 SAMUEL ADEKUGBE ( CANADA); The 27 year old moved with his family to Canada, and has booked his place on the plane to Qatar, the player presently represents Turkish Super Lig club, Hatayspor. He has made 33 appearance for the North Americans, and he will be hoping to make an impact in Canada’s returning squad to the world cup.