History-maker: Tottenham's Nigeria-eligible LB Udogie enters the record books after debut for Italy 

Tottenham Hotspur's Nigeria-eligible defender Destiny Udogie entered the record books after making his debut for Italy's national team in a 2024 European Championship qualifying match against Malta this past weekend.

Udogie made his first appearance for the four-time world champions when he came off the bench to replace Federico Dimarco in the 79th minute of the contest at the Stadio Comunale San Nicola (Bari) on October 14.

According to the official Facebook page of the Municipality of Nogara, Udogie is the first Nogarese in history to debut in Italy's senior national team. 

Although the versatile defender was born in Verona, his Nigerian father and mother arrived in Italy in the 1990s and settled in Nogara. 

Udogie spent his formative years as a footballer, playing for Circolo Noi football school in Nogara where he was coached by Stefano Grespan, before joining Verona at the age of ten.

The 20-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best young left-backs in the Premier League, holding his own against Manchester United's Antony and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, and performed admirably in the second half of Tottenham's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

Udogie is now two games away from being cap-tied to Italy after making his second appearance for the gli Azzurri in their 3-1 loss to England in a 2024 Euro qualifier on Tuesday.  

On his full debut for the Italians, Udogie was replaced in the 63rd minute with England leading 2-1. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: figc.it

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