Super Eagles: 5 talented stars who chose Italy over Nigeria

The Nigerian football landscape is littered with players who could have worn the Super Eagles' green and white but instead found their international home in Italy.

From Premier League defenders to versatile midfielders and a striker who once made history in European competition, several footballers with Nigerian roots have represented the Azzurri at senior level.

Honest Ahanor is the latest name to thrust that old debate back into the spotlight. The Crystal Palace defender, born in Aversa to Nigerian parents, was left out of Italy’s travelling squad for the Nations League meeting with France on October 2, keeping his Super Eagles option alive.

Ahanor has two senior Italy appearances, both in friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece, and FIFA rules allow him to switch while he remains within the applicable appearance limits.

The Super Eagles, though, have watched several other players make the decision to play for Italy instead of Nigeria.

Super Eagles: Nigeria-eligible stars Italy claimed for the Azzurri

Destiny Udogie

Tottenham Hotspur defender Destiny Udogie is one of the most prominent examples of a Super Eagles-eligible player who rose through Italy's football system and ultimately committed his international future to the Azzurri.

Born in Verona to Nigerian parents, Udogie came through the Hellas Verona academy before establishing himself in Serie A with Udinese.

His performances attracted Tottenham, who signed him before allowing him to continue his development in Italy on loan.

Udogie, 23, represented Italy at several youth levels before earning his senior call-up in 2023. He made his Italy debut against Malta in October of that year, coming on in the 79th minute and assisting Davide Frattesi in a 4-0 Euro 2024 qualifying victory. Three days later, he started against England at Wembley.

Udogie, who has the technical qualities to become a long-term option at left-back for the Super Eagles, now boasts 12 caps for Italy.

Michael Folorunsho

Michael Folorunsho is another Italy international with Nigerian roots.

Born in Rome, the Napoli midfielder developed through the Italian football system and spent several seasons building his reputation across the country's lower divisions and Serie A.

His career included spells with Virtus Francavilla, Bari, Pordenone, Reggina and Hellas Verona before he returned to Napoli and became a more established top-flight player.

Folorunsho's imposing physical presence and versatility eventually brought him into Italy's senior setup.

He received his first senior call-up in March 2024 and made his debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 9. The midfielder entered in the 76th minute of Italy's 1-0 friendly victory and was subsequently selected for the Azzurri's Euro 2024 squad.

Now on loan at Monza, the 28-year-old has featured only two times for Italy in two years, and is no longer on the radar of the Super Eagles.

Stefano Okaka

Stefano Okaka's story stretches back to an earlier generation of Super Eagles-eligible players.

Born in Castiglione del Lago to Nigerian parents, Okaka joined Roma's academy at just 14 and quickly emerged as one of Italy's most exciting young forwards.

His development was so rapid that he made his Roma debut as a teenager. In September 2005, he became the youngest Italian player to appear in a European competition when he featured against Aris in the UEFA Cup.

Okaka went on to build a long professional career, playing for several Italian clubs as well as having spells abroad, including Fulham in England.

His international future, however, remained with Italy. Antonio Conte handed him his senior debut against Albania in November 2014, and Okaka marked the occasion in perfect fashion by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory.

He ultimately made five appearances for Italy.

Angelo Ogbonna

Angelo Ogbonna also belongs to an earlier generation of Nigerian-Italian footballers who reached the highest levels of the game.

Born in Cassino to Nigerian parents, Ogbonna developed in Italy and made his professional breakthrough with Torino.

The centre-back's combination of strength, pace and composure eventually attracted Juventus, before he moved to the Premier League and established himself as a long-serving defender with West Ham United.

Nigeria's Super Eagles showed interest in Ogbonna early in his international career, but the defender opted to represent Italy.

He made his Azzurri debut against Poland in November 2011 and was subsequently included in Italy's squad for Euro 2012.

Ogbonna eventually collected 13 senior caps for Italy, making him one of the most experienced Nigerian-eligible defenders to have represented the Azzurri.

Michael Kayode

Kayode's story is the most recent example of Italy securing the international future of a Super Eagles-eligible talent.

Born in Borgomanero to Nigerian parents, the defender developed in Italy and came through the country's youth ranks before making his senior breakthrough.

His rise gathered pace during his time at Fiorentina, where his performances as an energetic and attack-minded right-back attracted attention beyond Italy.

Kayode subsequently earned his senior Italy opportunity and made his competitive debut against Türkiye on September 28. He made an immediate impact, scoring and helping create another goal as Italy recorded a 4-1 Nations League victory.

That appearance came in a competitive senior fixture effectively ensuring he can no longer switch to play for Nigeria's Super Eagles.

The Brentford defender is only 22, offering Italy an elite full-back who can power their right flank for the next decade.