'It's A Very Good Move' - London-Born Ex-Reading Star Hails Ejaria For Choosing Nigeria Over England

Published: May 14, 2020

London-born former Reading defender Sam Sodje has hailed Liverpool-owned player Ovie Ejaria for committing his international future to Nigeria over his country of birth, England.

The 2017 England U20 World Cup-winning midfielder is now awaiting green light from football's governing body, FIFA before he is considered for a call-up to the Super Eagles.

"It's a very good move that Ejaria made choosing Nigeria over England. If he wants to have a long international career, I think playing for Nigeria would be his best bet because you never know about England," Ex-Super Eagles star Sodje told allnigeriasoccer.com.

"With Nigeria, he will go to more tournaments, he will play more games, he will be more exposed and that will help him in his clubside.

"If he plays for Nigeria, he'll be more respected in his club. Being an international, life after sports, England would benefit you."

Sodje has refused to blame English-born players for deliberately snubbing the advances of the Nigerian Federation until they are declared surplus to requirements by England.

Ola Aina, Victor Moses, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and recently Chuba Akpom switched allegiances from England to Nigeria only after they stopped receiving call-ups to the Young Lions.

"If you get injured, the insurance policy is better so no player should be blamed for playing for England youth teams or other countries first before they switch allegiance to Nigeria. No insurance in Nigeria works for the player.

"It's different for me, I wanted to play for Nigeria and I played for Nigeria," Sodje concluded.

Sodje's elder brother, Efe, who was also born in London, represented Nigeria at the 2002 World Cup, and went the distance as the Super Eagles registered an impressive goalless draw against England.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : readingfc.co.uk

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