Top 5: Stars snubbed by Italy, England, and France who can improve Nigeria’s Super Eagles

Several European national teams announced their squads for a series of friendly games scheduled for the international window later this March.

While some players with Nigerian heritage, like Destiny Udogie and Michael Folorunsho, celebrated their invitations to Italy, many others were frustrated to be left out despite their undeniable quality.

Interestingly, some of these players could be great additions to the Nigerian national team should they decide to play for the Super Eagles.

Here are the top five players stuck in this divide.

1. Michael Olise, Crystal Palace

Michael Akpovie Olise was born in England to a Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mother and is eligible to represent France, Algeria, England, or Nigeria internationally.

Olise has played for France at U18 and U21 levels, but now that he is 22 years old, the Crystal Palace winger is ready to make the step up to international football.

However, he was not included in France’s squad for their March international engagements, casting doubts on his participation at the European Championship later in the year.

If he decides to play for the Super Eagles, though, Olise could be a key player for Nigeria at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With Samuel Chukwueze not developing as expected, Olise would find little trouble locking down the right-wing role in the Super Eagles.

2. Caleb Okoli, Frosinone (on loan)

Born in the Italian city of Vicenza to parents of Nigerian descent, Memeh Caleb Okoli has known no other place than Italy.

Okoli has featured for the European giants at U19, U20, and U21 level, and after impressing with Frosinone in Serie A this season, many expected him to make the step up to the national team this year.

However, national team manager Luciano Spalletti did not include the 22-year-old centre-back in his 28-man squad invited for friendlies against Venezuela and Ecuador.

The Nigeria Football Federation has eyes trained on Okoli for a while now, and this may be the right time for the Atalanta-owned defender to switch international allegiance.

Nigeria’s defensive wall of Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, and Semi Ajayi are aging.

And Okoli could be among the next generations of Super Eagles’ defensive kingpins.

3. Lesley Ugochukwu, Chelsea

Born in France, Ugochukwu is of Nigerian descent.

Despite playing football at youth level for the former world champions, the youngster remains eligible to feature for the three-time African kings.

Ugochukwu already has a link to the Super Eagles as he is the nephew of former Rennes and Nigeria centre-back Onyekachi Apam.

The 19-year-old midfielder joined Chelsea from Rennes in the summer and has already made ten Premier League appearances.

Ugochukwu’s calm head and physical presence are elements the Super Eagles had in short supply at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

And the next Super Eagles head coach will be smart to get the young midfielder wearing and excelling in the green-and-white colours of Nigeria.

4. Tosin Adarabioyo, Fulham

At age 26, Abdul-Nasir Oluwatosin Oluwadoyinsolami Adarabioyo may have finally realised that he will never play for the England senior national team except a miracle happens.

Adarabioyo has been waiting for a Three Lions’ call-up since 2015, when he last played for the England U19.

The former Manchester City defender is playing arguably the best football of his career at Fulham at the moment. Still, he was snubbed in the latest England roster.

England’s loss, though, could be Nigeria’s gain, as Adarabioyo has already forged an excellent partnership with Calvin Bassey at Fulham.

The two defensive monsters could replicate their brilliant Fulham understanding at the international level, pushing Nigeria to success at the editions of the AFCON and World Cup.

5. Dominic Solanke, Bournemouth 

One other player, aside from Tosin Abarabioyo and Eberechi Eze, who would have been disappointed at missing out on England’s most recent call-up is Dominic Ayodele Solanke-Mitchell.

As a teenager, Solanke was tipped for great things after helping England win the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, receiving the Golden Ball award for best player in the latter tournament.

However, the AFC Bournemouth star has only one England cap to show for his troubles over the last seven years.

Thankfully, he is still eligible to play for Nigeria.

Although the Super Eagles have one of the richest attacking resources in world football at the moment, Solanke would be a great addition.

He is Championship-hardened, Premier League-trained, a cold-blooded finisher, and a predator in the penalty box.

Solanke is enjoying his best spell in the EPL with 15 goals in 28 games, a tally bettered only by two players – Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (18) and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins (16).

A frontline quartet of Victor Boniface, Victor Osimhen, Dominic Solanke, and Michael Olise will cause a lot of national teams sleepless nights.

N.B: Which of these players would you love to see play for the Super Eagles? Leave your comments below.