Spain 2 Nigeria 0? NFF involved in another tug-of-war after missing out on 25-goal Porto striker

The Royal Spanish Football Federation have secured a significant international coup, winning the race for highly-rated FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Aghehowa, who holds dual nationality, is no longer eligible to represent the Super Eagles after making a cap-tying appearance for Spain earlier this month.

The 21-year-old came off the bench in the closing stages of Spain's pulsating 5-4 victory over France in the UEFA Nations League semifinal on June 5, effectively tying his international future to the reigning European champions.

Prior to that appearance — his second senior cap — Aghehowa remained eligible for the Super Eagles, having made his debut in a November 2024 Nations League match against Switzerland while still classified as an U21 player.

The call-up for Spain's June fixtures followed a breakout campaign at club level, in which Aghehowa announced himself as one of European football's most exciting young forwards.

He netted 25 goals in all competitions in his debut season with Portuguese giants Porto, attracting attention from national selectors and top European clubs alike.

The Nigeria Football Federation were engaged in a serious bid to lure the striker to switch allegiances, banking on his heritage — Aghehowa’s parents hail from Edo State — and the influence of NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen, a former Super Eagles captain and 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner from the same state.

Despite Eguavoen's relationship with the Aghehowa family, the NFF were ultimately unable to convince the forward to commit to the Nigerian national team.

With Aghehowa now out of reach, Nigeria's recruitment focus is expected to shift to another dual-national forward who's also eligible for Spain, Edna Imade.

The Granada forward is attracting interest from both the NFF and the Royal Spanish Football Federation, setting the stage for yet another tug-of-war between the two nations.

The Nigeria Football Federation have already made contact with Imade about representing the Super Falcons.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: rfef.es

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