Foreign-Born Super Eagles Star ‘Very Happy’ To Play For Nigeria

Born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and a Nigerian father, Tyronne Ebuehi could have chosen to play for the Oranje Boys, but he is proud to represent the three-time African champions

FC Twente defender Tyronne Ebuehi admits football helped him stay in touch with his Nigerian roots, but the fullback is pleased to be a Super Eagle.

The 24-year-old defender made his debut for Nigeria in 2017 and featured for the 2013 African champions at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

However, shortly after that tournament, Ebuehi suffered a career-threatening injury that kept him out of football for two years and saw him missed the 2019 African Cup of Nations, where the Gernot Rohr-tutored side picked a bronze medal.

But the right-back has made an excellent return to the pitch and has rediscovered his best form at Twente, on loan from Portuguese giants Benfica.

It was, therefore, no surprise when Nigeria’s head coach Gernot Rohr invited Ebuehi for the two international friendly matches against Algeria and Tunisia.

Pleased to be back playing for his fatherland, the defender has voiced his delight at wearing the green-and-white kits again.

“I am very happy to be playing for Nigeria,” Ebuehi said as per Tubantia.

“I grew up here in the Netherlands, but my roots are also in Africa. I get to know them through football.

“Nigeria is not a small football country. I can play there with big boys like Victor Osimhen. He was sold to Napoli for 70 million this season, then you know.”

Ebuehi has eight caps for Nigeria, and he is likely to be in the Super Eagles squad expected to face Sierra Leone in an Afcon-qualifying doubleheader in November.