Karim Adeyemi’s eligibility for Super Eagles: Can the Dortmund star still play for Nigeria?

Recent discussions have sparked enthusiasm among Nigerian football faithful regarding the potential eligibility of Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi to play for the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.

Despite representing Germany at various youth levels and securing caps for their senior national team, Adeyemi’s eligibility to switch allegiance remains open due to specific circumstances.

Born to a Nigerian father and a Romanian mother, Adeyemi has shown a profound connection to his Nigerian roots. His desire to represent Nigeria has been a subject of interest, with the player himself expressing his willingness to don the green and white jersey a while ago if he had the chance.

What is Karim’s football history?

At the age of 19, Adeyemi made his debut for the German senior national team under Hansi Flick’s management, making several appearances.

This participation seemingly solidified his commitment to the German national team and appeared to end his chances of playing for Nigeria.

Is the Dortmund forward still eligible to play for Nigeria?

However, despite these appearances, Adeyemi’s involvement in competitive matches remains under the threshold that permits a change of international allegiance.

FIFA’s eligibility criteria, set in September 2020, allows players to switch if they have played no more than three competitive matches at the senior level before turning 21. Notably, his appearances were not in competitive matches.

He has played four games for the German side, which incudes three World Cup qualifiers, and a UEFA Nations League. This, therefore, creates an opportunity for a change in allegiance.

What is the recent development?

Recent rumours have circulated regarding Adeyemi’s potential call-up to the German U-21 squad, which he allegedly declined, leading to debates in Germany’s football circles.

Additionally, his inclusion in the 2022 World Cup squad, albeit without any minutes played, maintains his eligibility to switch allegiance to Nigeria, given that he has not appeared in competitive fixtures for Germany.

Is Karim a good player for Nigeria?

With his current market value estimated at €28 million and previously valued at €40 million, Adeyemi’s hypothetical inclusion in the Super Eagles squad would position him among Nigeria’s top five most valuable players.

However, His skill set, and potential contributions could significantly benefit Nigeria’s national team. The young lad was named Bundesliga Rookie of the Month for January 2023, and Bundesliga Rookie of the Season for the 2022-23 season, which shows his impact on every team.

The ‘fufu man’ gained more popularity, not only for his interest in Nigerian food, fufu, but also for his impressive performance against Chelsea, scoring the only goal from a solo strike in a 1–0 victory over Chelsea in the Champions League round of 16.

A potential move for the Nigeria Football Federation

Adeyemi’s openness to representing Nigeria, coupled with his eligibility status according to FIFA’s regulations, presents an exciting opportunity for Nigeria’s Football Federation (NFF) to take a concise look into grabbing him at all cost.

His pace, goal-scoring ability, and vision on the field could be a valuable addition to the Super Eagles’ roster, providing depth and skill in crucial attacking areas.