Even though Nigerians will have to watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar from home after the Super Eagles failed to grab their ticket to the tournament, that wouldn’t stop Nigerians from enjoying the competition as some of Nigerian-born players will feature prominently.
These Nigerian-born footballers who hold dual citizenship will be seen in their dazzling form playing for their country in the Middle East nations.
Ahead of the tournament which will run from November 20th to December 18th, below is a list of seven Nigerian-born players who will be seen in Jerseys of other countries in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
1. Karim Adeyemi
The first Nigerian-born player to watch out for in the Qatar World Cup is Karim Adeyemi.
The 20-year-old Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi is a citizen of Germany by birth after being born to a Nigerian father and a Romanian mother in Germany.
The 20-year-old Nigerian descent has played for Germany at all age-grade levels before he made his senior team debut in a World Cup qualification against Armenia on the 5th of September, 2021.
2. Bukayo Saka
Another Nigerian-born player to watch out for is Arsenal’s star, Bukayo Saka.
The 21-year-old Gunners teenage footballer was born and raised in London by Nigerian parents. He chose to represent England despite being eligible to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Since making his debut for the Three Lions in 2020, the 21-year-old Mikel Arteta’s favorite youngster has featured 22 times for Gareth Southgate’s side, scoring four goals in all appearances.
The English Footballer of the Year Saka is expected to extend his stunning form after netting thrice to send England into the qualifiers.
Saka is expected to launch his national team to go further than their semi-final finish four years ago.
My childhood dream to play in a World Cup has come true !
— Bukayo Saka (@BukayoSaka87) November 10, 2022
Qatar 2022. Let’s go @england 🦁🏴#GodsPlan🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/Lvd5aLFqRa
3. Jamal Musiala
The third Nigerian-born player on the list is Jamal Musiala.
The London-born football star was born to a British-Nigerian father and a German mother, he is eligible to represent Nigeria Super Eagles but chose to play for Germany’s senior team.
The 19-year-old Musila enrolled in Chelsea Academy before he was transferred to Bayern Munich in 2019.
Jamal previously played for the England U-17 junior team before switching to represent Germany.
Among the sensational youngsters football lovers are to watch out for in the Qatar World Cup tournament is Jamal Musila.
4. Manuel Akanji
Another successful footballer who has Nigerian lineage and will be seen in the 2022 World Cup competition is Manuel Akanji.
He was born in Neftenbach, Switzerland to a Nigerian father and a Swiss mother.
The 27-year-old Nigeria’s descent plays in the heart of Manchester City’s defense as a center-back and has had a remarkable season so far.
This would be the second time the 27-year-old Guardiola’s man will feature in a World Cup edition after making his debut in 2017 and having 42 caps for the Swiss.
The 27-year-old City defender, who chose to represent Switzerland instead of the Super Eagles, is indeed a grand player with Nigerian blood to watch out for.
5. Noah Okafor
Aside from Manuel Akanji, the Swiss national team possesses another player of Nigerian lineage who is heading to the Qatar World Cup.
Noah Okafor was born in the Swiss town of Binningen to a Nigerian father and a Swiss mother.
The 22-year-old Salzburg forward chose to play for the Europeans over Nigeria and has represented Switzerland at every youth level but advanced to the senior team when he made his debut in 2019.
The Bull Salzburg central forward will be among promising football stars with Nigerian blood expected to bang several goals in Qatar.
6. Samuel Adekugbe
Among European players who have Nigerian ancestry on the list is Samuel Adekugbe.
He was born in England but raised in Canada by Nigerian parents following their relocation to Canada.
The 27-year-old defender who plays for the Turkish Super Lig club Hatayspor will be heading alongside his Canadian team to the Middle East nation.
7. Ike Ugbo
Another name in the Canadian rooster on the list to also watch out for is Ike Ugbo.
He was born in London to Nigerian parents but the family relocated to Canada when the Ligue 1 club Troyes star player was around five years old.
While the 24-year-old Troyes striker was qualified to represent any of the three countries, he chose to pledge his allegiance to the English side where he played at the youth level.
Ugbo, however, announced he would shift his allegiance to represent the three-time African champions, Nigeria but declined his comments two months later, committing his future to his residential country, Canada.
The 24-year-old Ike Ugbo has been named among Canada’s 26-men squad for the Qatar World Cup tournament and he is expected to bang goals for the North Americans.
