'My dad's from Nigeria' - Arsenal GK eligible for two other nations reveals he wants to represent Super Eagles 

Talented Arsenal goalkeeper Ovie Ejeheri has revealed that his international future lies with Nigeria even though he is eligible to represent two other countries. 

Ejeheri was born in London making him eligible to play for England's Young Lions and he can also turn out for the Uganda national team through his Uganda mother. 
 

The 20-year-old has been on the books of the Gunners for twelve years having joined the north London club at U9 level, rising through the academy ranks to sign a his first professional contract in August 2021.

He previously experienced a taste of men's football with two successful loan spells at National League South side Chelmsford City and Finnish Veikkausliiga club SJK Seinäjoki, keeping a total of twenty one clean sheets combined for both teams last season.

Allnigeriasoccer.com exclusively reported a year ago that Ejeheri was called up to a Flying Eagles training camp along with his then Arsenal teammate Joel Ideho ahead of the 2023 Africa U20 Cup of Nations but the goalkeeper could not travel to Abuja due to club commitments. 

Ejeheri is concentrating on his club career at Arsenal but has underlined that he will accept a call-up to represent Nigeria - a country he's eligible for through his Nigerian dad. 

Ejeheri says he is proudly Nigerian and has a fairly good knowledge of the country's football history. 

Speaking to Channels Television's United Kingdom-based sports reporter Austin Okon Akpan, Ejeheri said: "I remember when we won the Africa Cup of Nations with Amuneke, that's when I was young and I really love football back then so I was watching it a lot.

"One hundred percent, when I was watching that, it's inspiring and I definitely want to be one of the goalkeepers to talk about for Nigeria in history forever so I'd definitely like to play. 

"Last year I had a chance too but unfortunately I was on loan so It was a bit of a hard decision but I had to stay to get men's football.

"My dad's from Nigeria so obviously I 've taken a lot from him. I love the food of course, I love the culture, church, music. 

"There's a lot to love about Nigeria and I definitely need to visit again because I haven't visited in a long time. I can't even remember when I visited last but hopefully this summer I'll visit. I love Nigeria." 

Ejeheri is the second London born Arsenal-reared goalkeeper on the radar of the Nigeria Football Federation, who are also keeping tabs on fellow Hale End product Arthur Okonkwo. 

A third Nigeria-eligible goalkeeper on the books of Arsenal, Owen Asemota has been offered a scholarship deal for the 2024-2025 season. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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