England Or Nigeria? Southampton Defender Who Looks Up To Iwobi, Aina Reveals Where His International Allegiance Lies
Published: January 08, 2019
When put on the spot, Southampton wonderkid Oludare Olufunwa has admitted that he would be open to playing for the Nigerian National Teams if he's invited by the Nigeria Football Federation.
The 17-year-old Southampton-born defender has been tipped for a first-team breakthrough in the not too distant future, having made his debut for the The Saints U23 squad against Stoke City four days ago.
''My father is Nigerian, my mum is English and I was born in Southampton. Yes of course I will honour the call up to the Nigeria squad if the opportunity was to come,'' Olufunwa told allnigeriasoccer.com.
''I’ve always wanted to play for the Super Eagles but also playing for England is an option for me as I’ve grown up here and wouldn’t rule it out.''
Having left the door wide open for the Nigerian Federation to make a move for his services, Olufunwa, who was recently converted from a central defender to a fullback, revealed that he looks up to Arsenal's Alex Iwobi and Chelsea-owned Ola Aina.
Asked who he models his defensive game after, the talented teenager answered : ''At the moment I’m playing right wing back which is an even newer
position for me but when playing centre back I aim to mirror Van Dijk
but in general I like the style of Yaya Toure.
''In terms of a Nigerian player at the moment I like Iwobi’s energy and also Aina who I think is a very good right back.''
Olufunwa joined Southampton in 2010 following a successful trial after he was spotted playing for a local club.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Latest News
- Full list of 21 players in camp as Super Eagles begin CHAN preparations in Ikenne
- Confirmed: Eze signs new deal with Blackburn as another Nigerian defender joins from Wolves
- Done deal: Motherwell loan in Celtic youth product Sule from West Brom
- Official: Midfielder who is open to representing Nigeria signs new deal with Bournemouth
- 'This is what we need' – Oparanozie hails ex-England U20 forward after first goal in Nigeria colours
- Official: Nottingham Forest confirm Super Eagles defender has signed a new contract
- 'It's promising people money' – Plumptre breaks silence on impersonation after Super Falcons win
- 'Very good player' – Borussia Dortmund chief eyes new deal for Chelsea's Chukwuemeka
- Club Brugge in talks with Southampton over transfer of forward on Eric Chelle's radar
- 'Cyriel was here' – Rangers boss explains Dessers' omission from squad against Club Brugge


News Categories
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Football Betting
- Polish Football
- VT88
- VT88
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football
- SHBET
- keo nha cai
- F168
- F168
- okvip
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88