Why Arsenal Striker Chuba Akpom Will NOT Play For Nigeria In September

Allnigeriasoccer.com has been informed that suggestions that Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom will be called up for Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania in the first week of September are wide of the mark.

Several distinguished Nigerian football stakeholders, including ex-Arsenal hero Nwankwo Kanu and Amaju Pinnick, have attempted to convince the Hale End Academy product to switch allegiance to Nigeria without success.

“Hopefully still playing for Arsenal and the England senior team too. I want to emulate the Arsenal legends,” Akpom stated last year when asked where he sees himself in the next five years.

Nothing has changed. At the moment, Akpom is fully committed to England, with his dad Azu Akpom recently revealing that nobody can convince him to dump the Young Lions.

Most importantly, it will take the Nigeria Football Federation ages to process his request for change of association, assuming he decides to play for the Super Eagles today, as he has been involved in competitive fixtures for England youth teams.

In the past, Gabby Agbonlahor, John Fashanu, John Salako, Ugo Ehiogu and Chris Armstrong opted to represent England rather than Nigeria, while Paul McGrath turned out for the Republic of Ireland.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com