Chelsea product snubbed by Nigerian Federation named in Canada World Cup squad 

The Canada Soccer Association has announced the Reds roster for the 2022 World Cup with two players of Nigerian descent part of the 26-man squad heading to Qatar this week. 

Hatayspor left-back Samuel Adekugbe and popular Chelsea academy product Ike Ugbo are in contention to make their World Cup debuts having been selected by manager John Herdman.

London-born duo Ugbo and Adekugbe were eligible to represent the national teams of Nigeria, England and Canada before playing cap-tying games for the CONCACAF nation. 

In addition, Ugbo qualified to represent world champions France before he was recruited by Canada in November 2021.

Of the four countries Ugbo was eligible to represent, his first choice was actually the Super Eagles of Nigeria but the Nigeria Football Federation bungled the nationality switch from England to Nigeria.

The Nigerian Federation held secret talks with the striker at the Super Eagles Crowne Plaza Hotel Ealing ahead of a pre-World Cup friendly with Serbia in March 2018 to gauge his interest in representing the Nigerian national teams and his response was very positive. 

Two years later, Ugbo, through his advisers, contacted the NFF to begin processing his documents to change nationality but NFF's Head of International, Dayo Enebi Achor was lackadaisical in handling the request.

A two-time UEFA Youth League winner at Chelsea, the 24-year-old has made eight appearances for Canada's national team since his senior debut against Costa Rica. 

Meanwhile, Toronto FC striker Ayo Akinola has been omitted from the Canada roster despite featuring in their latest friendly against Bahrain two days ago.

He was a player of interest to the Nigerian Federation before he was lured by Canada Soccer. 

Canada are in Group F of the World Cup with Belgium, Morocco and Croatia their opponents. 

Canada World Cup squad 

Goalkeepers: James Pantemis, Milan Borjan, Dayne St Clair

Defenders: Samuel Adekugbe, Joel Waterman, Alistair Johnston, Richie Laryea, Kamal Miller, Steven Vitoria, Derek Cornelius

Midfielders: Liam Fraser, Ismael Kone, Mark-Anthony Kaye, David Wotherspoon, Jonathan Osorio, Atiba Hutchinson, Stephen Eustaquio, Samuel Piette

Forwards: Tajon Buchanan, Liam Millar, Lucas Cavallini, Ike Ugbo, Junior Hoilett, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Alphonso Davies
 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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