AC Milan-owned right-back Zachary Athekame is no longer in the plans of Nigeria manager Eric Chelle following his recent senior international debut for Switzerland, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.
Born in Geneva, the Lyon defender was eligible to represent the three-time African champions through his Nigerian father.
The Nigeria Football Federation had been monitoring Athekame's situation and was hoping to persuade him to switch his international allegiance to the Super Eagles.
However, the defender's international future was effectively settled after he started Switzerland's 3-0 win over North Macedonia in a UEFA Nations League encounter on September 26.
It proved to be a dream debut for Athekame, who provided the assists for both of Zeki Amdouni's goals.
Switzerland manager Murat Yakin handed the 21-year-old a call-up following an impressive start to the season, in which he scored two goals and registered two assists in five Ligue 1 appearances.
Before making his senior debut for Switzerland, Athekame had represented the country 17 times at U21 level and was an unused substitute in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Slovenia in October 2025.
The Nigeria Football Federation has also lost the recruitment battle for the services of former Inter Milan centre-back Manuel Akanji, Leeds United forward Noah Okafor, Venezia midfielder Simon Sohm, Young Boys defender Isaac Schmidt and Strasbourg's Eseosa Aigbogun.
Although Onyinyechi Zogg opted to represent the Super Falcons and has earned two caps, the Bern native remains eligible to play for her country of birth, Switzerland.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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