Proof That Manchester United Center Back Mengi Is Not Eligible To Represent Nigeria

Published: May 29, 2020

Widespread reports that highly-rated Manchester United center back Teden Mengi is eligible to represent Nigeria are incorrect, allnigeriasoccer.com has been told.

There are claims that Mengi 'begged' to train with the Nigeria U17 team in 2017 but there is no truth to the reports as he does not hold Nigerian nationality, contrary to suggestions that he was born in Kaduna, north-western Nigeria.

The 18-year-old signed a scholarship deal with Manchester United ahead of the 2018-2019 season.

When the new intake of academy scholars was announced in July 2018, Manchester United confirmed through their official website that Mengi was born in Manchester.

"There are three Manchester-born prospects in the intake - defender Teden Mengi, who made a couple of appearances for Kieran McKenna's side in 2017/18, plus midfielders Harvey Neville, son of ex-Red Phil, and Max Haygarth," United stated.

Furthermore, Mengi's camp has informed this website that the defender has no ties to Nigeria, ending once and for all the debates over his eligibility for the Super Eagles.

It is confirmed that Mengi's teammates Dillon Hoogewerf, Shola Shoretire and Ayodeji Sotona are eligible to represent Nigeria but have caps for the youth teams of Netherlands, England and Republic of Ireland respectively.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : manutd.com

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