Chukwuemeka, Okoli, and the best Nigeria-eligible players Jose Peseiro can target for the Super Eagles in 2023

In Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Maduka Okoye, Ola Aina, Joe Aribo, Ademola Lookman, and many others, the Nigeria Football Federation and previous Super Eagles coaches have shown in the past players with dual nationalities can be convinced to play for the three-time African champions.

The year 2023 presents another opportunity for head coach Jose Peseiro to bring into the Super Eagles fold gifted Nigerian descent born and raised in foreign lands.

Soccernet.ng highlights seven talented players with dual nationalities who can improve the quality of the Super Eagles.

1. Chuba Akpom – Middlesbrough

With Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Lorient’s Terem Moffi, the Super Eagles have no shortage of quality strikers.

KRC Genk’s Paul Onuachu and Cremonese’s Cyriel Dessers are worthy backup options but Middlesbrough’s Chuba Akpom could give those two a run for their money following his recent excellent run.

The 27-year-old is the joint-top scorer in the Championship with 12 goals and his ability to function as an attacking midfielder and second striker could appeal to Jose Peseiro in the new year.

2. Samuel Ikechukwu Edozie – Southampton

 

One of the most highly-rated teenagers in England, Sam Edozie left Manchester City for Southampton in September.

The 19-year-old playmaker has already made ten appearances in the Premier League for the Saints to much acclaim.

Edozie is adept as a left winger and could be a perfect understudy for Nantes’ Moses Simon and Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman on that flank for the Eagles.

3. Folarin Balogun – Arsenal and Reims

 

Levelled on ten goals with Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi, Folarin Balogun has got more goals in Ligue 1 than everyone but Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

Safe to say the 21-year-old is having a spectacular time in France on loan at Reims from Arsenal.

Balogun is eligible to play for the United States, England, and Nigeria. But despite representing England at the youth level, the youngster remains connected to his Nigerian roots.

And with Dessers and Onuachu set to be in their thirties when the next World Cup comes around, Balogun could form a terror trident with Osimhen and Moffi at that Mundial.

4. Caleb Okoli – Atalanta

While on loan from Atalanta, Okoli proved his mettle last season when he led Cremonese to gain promotion to the Italian Serie A.

The 21-year-old centre-back has returned to Atalanta where he has become a consistent feature for the Goddess in the Italian Serie A.

Italy could move to tempt the Vicenza-born defender to play for the four-time world champions in the coming years.

But an early move in 2023 by the Nigeria Football Federation could see the youngster commit his international future to the three-time African champions.

5. Jordan Torunarigha – Gent

Torunarigha is the son of former Nigerian footballer Ojokojo Torunarigha, but the Hertha Berlin-raised defender has never hidden his desire to play for the German national team.

The accomplished centre-back even turned down the chance to play for Nigeria a few years ago.

But Germany overlooked Jordan Torunarigha when putting together their squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, despite his brilliance for Gent all year long.

Now aged 25, Jordan is reportedly open to playing for the Super Eagles and head coach Jose Peseiro could invite him in 2023.

6. Tosin Adarabioyo – Fulham

With Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong, and Leon Balogun around or above 30, the Super Eagles’ defence is increasingly looking to need a major revamp.

Jose Peseiro seems to agree with that as well as he already invited Boavista star Bruno Onyemaechi to the national team fold in November.

Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo is another who could come in to replace the old guards.

Adarabioyo has Premier League and Championship experience, and recent moves by NFF Technical Director Austin Eguavoen suggest it could be only a matter of time before we see the 26-year-old in the green and white colours of Nigeria.

7. Carney Chukwuemeka – Chelsea

One thing the Super Eagles are in short supply of is a top-notch attacking midfielder to understudy Alex Iwobi.

They do not come better than Carney Chukwuemeka, the Austria-born teenager who inspired England to win the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2022.

Chukwuemeka switched from Aston Villa to Chelsea last summer and has already made three Premier League appearances for the Blues.

Convincing him to play for the Super Eagles could be the biggest international allegiance switch the NFF pulled since Victor Moses snubbed the Three Lions for Nigeria.