Potential Nigeria opponents AFCON round of 16 trying to convince Chelsea star to switch allegiance

Published: August 18, 2021

Potential opponents for the Super Eagles in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations round of sixteen, Sierra Leone are attempting to persuade Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah to switch his allegiance from England to his country of birth ahead of the tournament in Cameroon.

Nigeria could be facing the Leone Stars in the round of 16 if they finish first in Group D and their West African rivals are the third ranked team in Group E or in the event that finish runner-up in Group D and Sierra Leone top their group.

The Super Eagles were unable to defeat Sierra Leone in the qualifiers for the 2021 AFCON, playing out a 4-4 draw in Benin City before they were held to a goalless draw in Freetown.

Chalobah is provisionally cap-tied to England having played competitive matches for their youth teams, hence he has to request for a change of association from England to Sierra Leone should he decide to represent the Leone Stars at the AFCON.

The Chelsea academy graduate could be following in the footsteps of Sierra Leone manager John Keister who was eligible to represent the Leone Stars and Three Lions but played international football for the African nation.

"We have a team that is a mixture of youth and experience and they have great ambitions in the tournament. Everyone is looking forward to this event," Keister said to Filgoal.

"There are also some players in Europe that we are trying to convince them to represent Sierra Leone, such as Trevoh Chalobah , the Chelsea player, who has Sierra Leonean nationality alongside England, and he will be a good addition if he joins us."

Keister has claimed that initial discussions with Chalobah over potentially playing for Sierra Leone were positive.

"There are positive indications regarding Chalobah and his representation for the Sierra Leone national team. We will talk to him again and we will try to convince him to play with us and I am confident of our success.

"Chalobah is a young player with a great future awaiting him and he performs impressively in the Premier League, so it would be great if he agreed to choose Sierra Leone."

Chalobah, one of the standout players for Chelsea in their first two wins of the season against Villarreal and Crystal Palace, is pals with fellow Chelsea academy graduate Ola Aina, who is in contention to be named on Nigeria's roster for the 2021 AFCON.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com

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