Rédaction Africa Links 24 with James Agberebi
Published on 2024-02-17 11:00:01
Luton Town striker, Elijah Adebayo, recently expressed his desire to play for the Nigerian national team. Born in Brent, England, Adebayo is eligible to represent both England and Nigeria at the international level, but he has never appeared in any international matches. Despite this, the 26-year-old forward has been showcasing impressive performances for Luton, especially after scoring nine goals in 23 Premier League appearances.
One of his most notable achievements occurred on January 30, 2024, when Adebayo became the first player from Luton to record a hat-trick in the Premier League during a 4–0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion. He has also managed to score four goals in his last three games, contributing significantly to his team’s ongoing efforts to stave off relegation.
In an interview with The Times, Adebayo shared his thoughts about his international career, stating, “I would like to play for Nigeria. It would make my mum happy, make her proud. That’s something we’ve spoken about.” He also acknowledged that the possibility of playing for England remains open, saying, “Playing for England? It would be a case of whichever comes first. My mum would be proud if I played for Nigeria or England, but Nigeria especially.”
The trend of players born outside of Nigeria opting to represent the country in international competitions has been noticeable in recent years. Notable players such as Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, and Leon Balogun have all chosen to play for Nigeria. Their contributions have been significant, with Aina, Troost-Ekong, and Lookman earning spots on the Team of the Tournament during the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Côte d’Ivoire.
Furthermore, Nigeria’s women’s national team, the Super Falcons, has also seen players like Ashleigh Plumptre, Toni Payne, Nicole Payne, and Ifeoma Onumonu deciding to switch allegiance to represent the country at the international level.
For Adebayo, a potential opportunity to represent Nigeria on the international stage holds personal significance as it would bring joy and pride to his mother. While he remains open to the prospect of playing for England, his words reflect a deep-rooted desire to pursue an international career that would bring happiness to his family and make a positive impact on Nigeria’s national team.
