Super Eagles Suffer Blow As Bundesliga Star Dumps Nigeria to Play for Germany
- Nigeria have lost the battle against Germany after a dual-eligible defender made his senior debut
- The Nigeria Football Federation have convinced some dual nationals to switch their allegiance
- Ademola Lookman is the biggest success story, winning the African Best two years after his debut
Nigeria have lost the battle against Germany over the future of a dual national player after the defender made his debut for the European nation.
The Nigeria Football Federation in the past decade have intensified efforts to get players of dual nationality to switch their international allegiance.
Source: Getty Images
Alex Iwobi, captain William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, and Ademola Lookman are among the successful players and have formed part of the team’s core.
Atalanta star Lookman is viewed as the biggest achiever, winning the African Footballer of the Year two years after he dumped England to play for Nigeria.
Many other top stars have turned down the NFF's approach and chosen their European countries over playing for the three-time African champions.
Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo is the most high-profile player the NFF are after, with the Chelsea defender reportedly close to representing Nigeria.
Nnamdi Collins makes Germany debut
According to DFB, Julian Nagelsmann invited Nnamdi Collins to the Germany squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifier matches against Slovakia and Northern Ireland.
Nagelsmann trusted the defender to start at right-back, but was hauled off at half-time with Germany 1-0 down after struggling to make his mark. Germany went on to lose the match 2-0.
Nigerians reacted to his debut, discussing how travelled the citizens are and making families in the countries they settle in.
@LumenPaul2 wrote:
“Collins' first name is Nnamdi?😂😂 E no get where Ibo man never go😭😂”
@Buike_042 wrote:
“Nnamdi Collins” playing for Germany at RB. lol enjoy that 45mins and that’s the end of your international career💔”
@nnamdichuks9 wrote:
“Who be Nnamdi Collins for this Germany game again? Igbo men, well done o 😂😂😂”
@txbiloba wrote:
“A German player named Nnamdi Collins. It is well.”
@bdk042 wrote:
“There’s a man named Nnamdi Collins playing RB for Germany bro, 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 9ja men e be like virus.”
Source: Getty Images
Collins had earlier ruled Nigeria out of contention for his future after confirming his mind is set on representing the country of his birth on the biggest stage.
Nagelsmann had long spoken about him, and the Eintracht Frankfurt defender confirmed he targets the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the national team.
“It would be a lie if I said otherwise because the dream of playing for the national team really drives me,” he told Sky Germany.
“If one day I had the opportunity to help the national team on the big stage, who wouldn’t be happy? As a child, I always dreamed of it, and it was always one of my goals back then.”
Dual-eligible stars who may never play for Nigeria
Legit.ng previously analysed some dual-eligible players who may never play for Nigeria despite efforts from the three-time African champions.
Nnamdi Collins was one of those who made it clear that his heart is set on representing Germany. Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri is also unlikely to play for Nigeria.
Source: Legit.ng
