The 2nd Vice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Shehu Dikko, has clarified why Super Eagles handler, Sunday Oliseh, invited Arsenal’s U-21 player, Alex Iwobi, for next month’s friendlies against Cameroon and DR Congo.
Iwobi, 19, was handed a late invitation by Oliseh and Dikko says it is because U-23 coach Samson Siasia, needs the teenager for the U-23 and he must play at full international stage for Nigeria to make that possible.
“The call-up to Iwobi is simple a footballing as well technical one and for the good of the country. Iwobi has declared intention to represent Nigeria and he is good enough to represent Nigeria at U23 level. However, as he has played for England at the junior level he cannot play for Nigeria again at the junior level as FIFA would only approve his change of Nationality if he plays for the main Super Eagles,” Dikko wrote on his Facebook page.
“Therefore, his call-up now is to get his nationality change sorted and thus make him available to play for the Nigeria U23 If selected.
“Hence, Oliseh called him up on the request of Siasia who wants to use him for the U23s and by this action Nigeria will have secured his allegiance and this would also further motivate other players like him to come along.
“Finally on footballing terms, the potential of Iwobi is not in doubt based on what he did during Arsenal pre-season so in the long term this might be a very good decision for Nigeria and Iwobi.”
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