Top ten Nigerians players who chose to play for other countries

Top ten Nigerians players who chose to play for other countries

Top ten Nigerians players who chose to play for other countries. It is expected that a footballer represents his country of descent internationally, but FIFA regulations make it possible for players to represent other countries which they are citizens of. Below are some footballers of Nigerian descent who represent other countries.

1. JAMAL MUSIALA (GERMANY)
Musiala was born on 26 February, 2003 in Stuttgart, Germany to a Nigerian-British father and Polish-German mother. He grew up in England before returning to Germany to join the Bayern academy. Jamal Musiala broke into the Bayern Munich senior team, becoming the youngest player to represent Bayern at 17 years 115 days when he made his debut against Freiburg; he also became Bayern’s youngest goal scorer at 17 years 205 days against Schalke in 2020.
Musiala had the options of representing, Nigeria, England and Germany, but on 24 February, 2021 he announced he would play for Germany and made his debut against Iceland in the 2022 FIFA World cup qualifiers. He has since become instrumental to the German team, been the joint top scorer in the EURO 2024.

2. EBERECHI EZE (ENGLAND)

Eze was born in Greenwich, London, to Nigerian parents. He moved through the Arsenal, Fulham, Reading and Millwall academies, before making his professional debut for Queens Park Rangers in 2017 against Blackburn in the FA Cup before getting off injured. He signed for crystal palace in 2020 and has since been one of the best players in the premier league.
Eze trained with the Nigerian national team but later chose England over Nigeria. He was previously called up by England but had an injury. He made his English debut against Malta on 16 June, 2023 in EURO 2024 qualifiers.

3. MICHAEL OLISE (FRANCE)

Born in Hammersmith London on 12 December, 2001 to Nigerian father and French – Algerian mother, Michael Olise made his professional debut for reading against Leeds united on 12 March, 2019. He moved for Crystal palace in 2021 after a good time at Reading. His impressive performance at Palace got him a move to Bayern Munich this year.
Although he was part of Nigeria’s standby squad during the AFCON qualifiers in 2021, Olise was called up to the French national team and made his debut against Italy in 2024.

4. BUKAYO SAKA (ENGLAND)

Bukayo Saka was born on 5th September, 2001 in Ealing, London to Nigerian parents, Yomi and Adenike Saka. He played at the Watford and Arsenal youth academies before making his Arsenal debut against Vorska Poltova in the Europa league on 29 November, 2018. He has since become one of the best wingers in the league, scoring 48 goals and 57 assists in 230 games for the gunners.
Saka Made his English debut in a 3-0 win over Wales and scored his first goal for the three lions in 1-0 win against Austria.

5. MANUEL AKANJI (SWITZERLAND)

Manuel Akanji was born on 19 July, 1995 to Nigerian father and Swiss mother in Neftenbach, Switzerland. He started off his professional career at FC Winterthur and FC Basel before moving to Dortmund where he caught the eye of Manchester City.
Manuel Akanji chose to represent the Swiss national team even though he had the chance to represent Nigeria. He had his Swiss debut against Faroe Island during the FIFA 2018 qualifiers and started all four matches for Switzerland in FIFA 2018.

6. KARIM ADEYEMI (GERMANY)

Karim Adeyemi was born on 18 January, 2002 in Munich, Germany to a Nigerian father and a Romanian mother. He started his professional career at Salzburg in the2019 before moving to Dortmund in 2022. He has been exceptional for the German side, reaching the 2023/2024 Champions league final..
He had his German debut against Armenia on 5 sep, 2021 in FIFA 2022 qualifiers, where he also scored one goal in the 6-0 win.

7. DAVID ALABA (AUSTRIA)

David Alaba is another player of Nigerian descent who plays for a European country. Born in Vienna Austria to a Nigerian father and Philippine mother, He played his best football while at Bayern Munich, where he won 27 titles, including 2 Champions league trophies and 10 league titles. Alaba currently plays for Real Madrid.
Alaba chose to represent Austria internationally; he made his debut for Austria against France in 2009. Alaba has won the Australian footballer of the year ten times since his first at the age of 19, he is also the Austrian national football team’s captain.

8. NOAH OKAFOR (SWITZERLAND)

Noah Okafor was born in Binningen, Switzerland to a Nigerian father and Swiss mother. He made his professional debut for FC Basel against FC Lurzen on 19 may, 2019, then went to Salzburg in 2021, helping them to their first Champions league round-off 16 stage in history.
Noah Made his debut for the Swiss national team in a game against England on 9 June, 2019 in the Nations League and scored his first goal against Bulgaria in the FIFA world cup 2022 qualifiers.

9. NONI MADUEKE (ENGLAND)

Noni was born on 10 March, 2002 in Barnet, London. He played for Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur academies before moving to PSV at Netherland in 2018. He made his professional debut for PSV on 19 January, 2019 in a game against VVV Venlo. His great performance at PSV earned him a 33 million move to Chelsea in 2023.
Noni Madueke was called up to English squad on 29 august, 2024 and had his debut in 2-0 win against Finland as a substitute for another Nigerian descent, Saka. He provided an assist in the game.

10. MICHAEL FOLORUNSHO (ITALY)

Folorunsho was born on 7 February, 1998 in Rome. He started off his professional career with Serie C side, Virtus Francavilla in 2017 before moving to Napoli in 2019. He has since been on loan spells to Bari, Reggina and Pordenone and currently to Hellas Verona. He had his debut for the Italian national team against Bosnia and Herzegovina on 9 June, 2024.