Nigeria 1–0 Argentina: River Plate striker who idolises Okocha earns Flying Eagles call-up

The Nigeria Football Federation are poised to win the recruitment battle for prolific River Plate youth team striker Jonathan Spiff Asuzu.

Allnigeriasoccer.com exclusively reported ten months ago that the 18-year-old had chosen to represent Nigeria internationally over his country of birth, Argentina.

Born in Palermo, Buenos Aires, to Nigerian father Godwin Asuzu and Argentine mother Maria, Spiff has received his first-ever call-up to the Flying Eagles ahead of the 2025 Fifa U20 World Cup.

Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu will assess the dual-national player during the team’s training camp. 

If selected and fielded in Chile, Spiff would become provisionally cap-tied to Nigeria.

It has been a remarkable week for Asuzu, who was named in River Plate’s reserve team for Wednesday’s Proyección Tournament clash against Godoy Cruz. 

The centre-forward earned the promotion after his impressive goalscoring performances for the club's youth sides.

A fan of Nigeria's 1994 Africa Cup of Nations-winning midfielder Austin Okocha, Spiff credits his Nigerian father for inspiring his footballing passion.

Described as an intelligent forward with exceptional game-reading ability, Spiff is also known for his remarkable speed and proficiency in finishing with both feet.

Earlier this year, he visited Africa as part of River Plate's squad at the Mohammed VI Football Academy U19 international tournament, gaining exposure to the continent that he now hopes to represent at youth level.

South American correspondent Jorge Praz. Additional reporting by Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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