English FA invite five Nigeria-eligible youngsters to their U15 camp in a bid to fend off the NFF

ENGLISH Football Association officials have invited five players of Nigerian extraction to England's U15 Emerging Talent Camp in a bid to tie them down and prevent them pledging their allegiance to Nigeria.

Over recent years, there has been a growing tussle for players between Nigeria and England following the large number of diasporan footballers coming through the ranks of English academies. Both football associations have had to very aggressive about their recruitment, putting the players have been under intense pressure from both sides.

At the last World Cup for instance, Bukayo Saka, Ebere Eze and Noni Madueke all played for England, turning down offers to feature for Nigeria. In return, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) successfully secured the services of English-born players Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey.

With more and more youngsters coming through on a daily basis, the English FA has acted very fast, inviting Arsenal defender Israel Aduba, Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Israel Ekundayo, Liverpool starlet Henry Keshi, Bristol City defender David Akinwunmi and Manchester City youngster Dubem Okechukwu to camp. They have all been named in the latest England U15 squad taking place at St George's Park from August 11 to 14.

Apparently, the main purpose of the Emerging Talent Camp is to encourage the youngsters to commit their international futures to England and keep them on the national team pathway. English FA officials are hoping that all five will follow the footsteps of the Arsenal trio featured for the Three Lions at the last World Cup.

Eze once trained with the Super Eagles in London ahead of a planned friendly against Burkina Faso but the match was cancelled, denying him the chance to make his debut for Nigeria. Another Arsenal attacker, Ethan Nwaneri, who is on the radar of the NFF and Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle, was invited to join England's camp in Florida as a training player ahead of the 2026 World Cup.