Nigeria has once again missed out on a promising football talent as Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze solidifies his place in England’s national team setup. Despite being eligible to represent the Super Eagles through his Nigerian heritage, Eze opted for the Three Lions, continuing a worrying trend of dual-national players choosing European teams over Nigeria.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Naija247news gathered that Eze’s decision follows similar cases involving players like Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori, both of whom were courted by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) before ultimately pledging their international futures to England. Analysts say this recurring loss of talent underscores the urgent need for Nigeria to adopt a more strategic approach in securing players with dual nationality.
According to Naija247news, sports analyst Chinedu Okafor warned that the NFF must engage potential Super Eagles players earlier to prevent more losses. “Nigeria must develop a structured approach to engage and convince dual-national players early. We can’t keep losing top talents like Eze, Tammy Abraham, and Fikayo Tomori,” he stated.
Naija247news reports that England’s aggressive recruitment strategy has made it difficult for these players to consider switching allegiance. The English FA ensures early scouting, youth team development, and consistent player integration—factors that make England’s offer more appealing than Nigeria’s uncertain football landscape.
Naija247news understands that former Nigerian international Emmanuel Amuneke has called for an overhaul of Nigeria’s scouting system, emphasizing the need for better grassroots football development and stronger relationships with Nigerian-born talents abroad. “Our scouting system needs an overhaul. We must invest in grassroots football and maintain close relationships with Nigerian-born talents abroad,” he said.
Football consultant Segun Agbede also stressed the importance of offering clear incentives beyond emotional appeals. “Beyond emotional appeals, there must be tangible benefits—competitive team structures, world-class training facilities, and strong leadership within the NFF,” he suggested.
The loss of Eze is another significant blow to Nigeria’s football ambitions, highlighting deeper issues within the country’s football administration. Without proactive reforms, the Super Eagles risk losing more top talents to European nations, further weakening Nigeria’s competitive edge on the global stage. Experts insist that the NFF must act swiftly to make the national team a more attractive option for emerging stars with Nigerian roots.
