Our U19s wouldn’t be a bad shout either though so could be down which team he feels he is more likely to get into.
Printable View
Our U19s wouldn’t be a bad shout either though so could be down which team he feels he is more likely to get into.
When are Nigeria next in a major tournament?
Himself and Armstrong Okoflex are in very, very similar positions but Okoflex appears to be throwing his lot in with England for now. The Nigerians are persistent in chasing lads in big British clubs and if they're unsure on Ireland or England then Nigeria presents a decent alternative.
Okoflex is probably doing it the right way for him. Staying with England at youth level leaves the opportunity to switch to Ireland in his 20's, if his career doesn't pan out the way he is probably being told it could at the moment.
Grealish and Rice were both made to make a decision as youngsters.
If Grealish had stayed with England at underage - he could switch to Ireland in the next couple of years, if his career continues to flat-line in the Championship.
Rice is a little different since England never showed any interest in him until now.
Crowley on the other hand stayed with England - he didn't make the breakthrough at Arsenal and now he can switch to Ireland without much of a fuss being made.
Unfortunately it's the way inernational football has gone.
Hughes on Obafemi progress
Sounds like he could get a run in the sideQuote:
“He’s got unbelievable pace. It was important that I had a look at him in the Premier League environment because he could very well be someone we can use.
“Bringing on Michael late on in games as an impact sub could be something that will help us. I was pleased with what he did, he didn’t look phased by the stage he was on so that bodes well as something we can work on.
At least let Roy Keane throw a few fooks ( verbal , verbal ) into him and see if he is made of the right stuff !
O'Neill doing the right thing calling him up to the senior squad. A last minute substitute appearance v Denmark will do nicely.
Knowing our luck that's what O'Neill will decide to do but he'll get injured vs Northern Ireland, miss Denmark and star for England or Nigeria(?) in 10 years time.
If that happens I'll forever blame you for jinxing it Stutts
https://footballlive.ng/michael-obaf...-london-dikko/ intriguing headline hopefully he can also evade m15!
What's his Twitter handle? Couldn't find him.
Fun fact... Obafemi has an older brother who is also a footballer, whose first name is, I kid you not, Afolabi. At the risk of making a major cultural faux pas, what are the odds?!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afolabi_Obafemi
Strange that he's born in England so if he's older than Michael. I wonder did the family move to Ireland from England for a while and then just move back?
Mark Hughes has doubts.
- https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football...d-southampton/
Nigerian fan site not so confident
https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/rea....php?nid=29915
Quote:
Southampton wonderkid Michael Obafemi had been on the radar of Nigeria Football Federation chiefs before being named to Ireland's provisional roster for their upcoming games in November.
Allnigeriasoccer.com can report with certainty that Obafemi was first proposed to the Nigerian Federation after playing a friendly against the Golden Eaglets back in 2015 but was rejected by the then coach Emmanuel Amuneke and further contact with the Federation did not yield any results.
'To fulfill all righteousness', this website contacted a high-ranking member of the Nigerian Federation for an official explanation as to why the teenage striker was not called up to the national teams.
''We tried to convince him, he has finally decided to play for Ireland,'' the top NFF official explained to allnigeriasoccer.com.
''Some of these players, people try to poison their mind about coming to Nigeria unless those that are good talents we want to work on.
''If he plays any competitive match for Ireland, it is finished.
''The President of the NFF (Pinnick), was very passionate about bringing him to play for Nigeria but it has not ended well.''
The 18-year-old Obafemi will become cap-tied to Republic of Ireland if he makes his competitive debut against Denmark in a UEFA Nations League tie on November 19.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
.....Cancel the good luck