Big recruitment coup by NFF: Chelsea striker dumps England for Nigeria, accepts Flying Eagles call-up

Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report with certainty that the Nigeria Football Federation have pulled off a major recruitment coup by persuading prolific Chelsea youth team striker Chizaram Ezenwata to switch his international allegiance from England to Nigeria.

Born in London in 2008, Ezenwata, known as Chizzy, is eligible to represent England's Young Lions, Cameroon's Cubs, and Nigeria's Flying Eagles. 

He qualifies for Nigeria through his father, former Gombe United star Ndubuisi Ezenwata, and for Cameroon via his mother.

The English Football Association had been leading the race for the talented forward, who has already made four appearances for the Young Lions at U17 level, scoring twice on his competitive debut against Malta in a European Championship qualifier in October 2024. 

However, the Nigeria Football Federation are now set to win the battle for his services.

Under Fifa rules, players capped at youth level are permitted to change their allegiance, and Ezenwata has opted to represent Nigeria after accepting a call-up to train with the Flying Eagles ahead of the 2025 Fifa U20 World Cup.

Barring any last-minute changes, the Chelsea teenage sensation will link up with the Flying Eagles at their training camp in Abuja on Monday, August 18, where head coach Aliyu Zubairu will assess him for potential inclusion in the World Cup squad. 

Zubairu and NFF scouts have been actively searching for a proven finisher following the team's lack of goals at the recent WAFU B U20 Boys Cup.

Ezenwata is not the only high-profile dual-national forward to answer Nigeria's call, with River Plate youth team striker Jonathan Spiff Asuzu also set to train with the squad.

Notably, on May 29, 2025, Ezenwata visited the Super Eagles camp in West London, where he was warmly welcomed by head coach Eric Chelle and the players. 

Discussions during the visit touched on his potential involvement with Nigeria's Flying Eagles or Olympic team.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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