Porto striker still eligible to represent Super Eagles despite making competitive debut for Spain

After he was a non-playing substitute against Denmark last Friday, Porto's dual-national striker Samuel Aghehowa made his senior debut on Monday night as European champions Spain closed the year with fourteen victories, beating Switzerland 3-2 in a UEFA Nations League tie in Tenerife, allnigeriasoccer.com reports. 

Born to Nigerian parents in Melilla twenty years ago, Aghehowa is still eligible to represent the Super Eagles despite playing in a competitive game for Spain. 

Players with dual nationality under the age of 21 can only become cap-tied to a national team if they participate in four matches for their first country, and one of these games has to be a competitive fixture.

It is confirmed that Nigeria Football Federation's Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen, who is the interim coach of the Super Eagles, has close ties with Samu's family.

His mother is originally from Edo State, the same state as 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner Eguavoen. 

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente handed Aghehowa his debut off the bench, bringing him on at halftime to replace former Chelsea striker Álvaro Morata.

The 20-year-old earned caps for Spain at U19, U21 and U23 level before making his international debut for La Roja.

A product of Granada, Aghehowa is having a fine campaign at Porto, whom he joined in the summer transfer window after a failed move to Premier League giants Chelsea. 

In thirteen all-competition appearances for the Portuguese setup, the Spanish-Nigerian forward has tallied twelve goals, including a brace against Manchester United in the Europa League. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: rfef.com

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