Nigeria finally miss out on the services of former Chelsea & Arsenal youth team striker

The Nigeria Football Federation have finally missed out on the services of former Chelsea and Arsenal youth teamer Michael Obafemi, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Prior to June 4, 2022, the in-form Swansea City striker could have declared for Nigeria or England but that is no longer possible following his appearance for his country of birth, Republic of Ireland in a UEFA Nations League B clash against Armenia eight days ago.

Under the new FIFA rules on international eligibility, Obafemi wasn't cap-tied to Republic of Ireland after making his competitive debut against Denmark in November 2018 at the age of eighteen.

More than three years had passed between his first cap and his second appearance for the Boys in Green, meaning he could have switched his allegiance to Nigeria before this summer's matches if he wished.

The Football Association of Ireland have launched an aggressive recruitment campaign in recent years, locking several players of Nigerian descent down including Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Gavin Bazunu (Manchester City), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City) and Adam Idah (Norwich City), apart from the recently cap-tied Obafemi.

Obafemi shone on his full Republic of Ireland debut on Saturday, winning the Man of the Match award thanks to his goal and assist in a 3-0 rout of Scotland in a UEFA Nations League tie in Dublin, the city where he was born.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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