Watford's Dele-Bashiru To Dual-Eligible Players : It's A Great Honour To Play For Nigeria

Watford midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru has advised players with dual nationality to pledge their international future to Nigeria and added that it's a great honour to play for the three-time African champions.

Born in Manchester, the former Manchester City starlet had represented England's U16 team before becoming provisionally cap-tied to Nigeria when he started against Qatar at the 2019 U20 World Cup.

Tom's sibling, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru also trained with the Flying Eagles in Germany ahead of the tournament in Poland but was declared surplus to requirements by manager Paul Aigbogun.

In an interview with the Nigerian Federation, Tom said : ''I think there are a lot of players that play abroad that would love to play for Nigeria, but maybe haven't had the chance or opportunity.

''I think it's a great feeling and a great honour to play for this country. Hopefully in the future a lot more players playing abroad will choose to play for Nigeria''.

On the perception about Nigerian football in the UK and in Europe, he said : ''Nigeria are held in high regard abroad because they have had great players over the years and they seem to do well in the African Cups but not so much in the World Cup and I think the future will be great for Nigeria because there are lot of players coming through that are choosing to play for Nigeria and also homegrown players as well''.

The 20-year-old Dele-Bashiru is in line to play for two Nigeria youth teams in the space of six months as he has been named to the Dream Team VII's roster for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations.

''It is another great honour for me. Obviously  I moved to Watford during the summer but I haven't had that much of an opportunity to play there but I have been training hard, working hard, so I'm really proud to be selected for the U23s,'' he added.

Dele-Bashiru debuted for Manchester City and Watford in the League Cup but has yet to make his maiden appearance in the English Premier League.

Igho Kingsley