NFF Approach Toronto FC Prodigy To Switch Allegiance From USA To Nigeria

Published: March 30, 2019

The Nigeria Football Federation have set the ball rolling in their quest to convince Toronto FC prodigy Ayo Akinola to commit his international future to Nigeria ahead of the United States and Canada.

Barring an injury, Akinola is certain to be included on the United States roster for this summer's FIFA U20 World Cup and the striker is also in contention to face the Flying Eagles when both teams trade tackles at Stadion Miejski, Bielsko-Biała on May 27.

The 19-year-old was born in Detroit, United States to Nigerian parents and raised in Canada.

He has the choice of playing international football for three countries and the Nigerian Federation contacted his mom during the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup in India.

''They saw me play against Ghana. For now though, I don't want to focus too much on that, I'm representing the US,'' Akinola told the official website of Major League Soccer.

''Yeah, yeah, I'm still young. Unless I make the men's roster. Right now, I can play for [any] country.''

Akinola, 19, netted on his full debut for Toronto FC in their 3-2 win against the New England Revolution on March 18.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : ussoccer.com