'I have never been spoken to by the NFF' - Barcelona-reared CB on possibility of playing for Super Eagles 

Barcelona academy product Godswill Ekpolo has confessed that it will be difficult for him to get an invitation to Nigeria's senior national team because of the UEFA coefficient of the Cypriot First Division.

Ekpolo, a key member of the Barcelona squad that won the UEFA Youth League in April 2014, is currently on the books of Apollon Limassol after spells with Fleetwood Town, Mérida, BK Hacken and Norrköping.

Born in Benin City and also eligible to play international football for Spain, Ekpolo was part of the Dream Team VI squad that caused an upset by edging Brazil in a pre-Olympic Games friendly in March 2016.

The versatile central defender trained with the Nigeria U23s in Abuja before the Rio Olympic games but was not selected in the traveling squad for the tournament in Brazil.

Seven years and counting, Ekpolo has been in the international wilderness and he does not see it ending soon, having noted that the Super Eagles coaching staff prioritize the invitation of English Premier League and Italian Serie A players. 

On the possibility of playing for the Super Eagles, Ekpolo told the official magazine Apollon Lemesos, via SuperSport FM: "The truth is that I have never been spoken to by the Nigerian Federation about such a thing.

"But it is something very difficult as they choose footballers who compete at the highest level, such as in England or Italy.

"There is always hope and opportunity, I will never say it is impossible to happen. But there are many Nigerians who compete in the best leagues in the world, so it is easier for them to be called up to the national team."

Seven players named in the matchday squad for Nigeria's 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia represent clubs in the Premier League and Serie A, including Tyronne Ebuehi, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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