Lecce snub NFF request as winger recently signed from West Brom misses Flying Eagles camp

Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report with certainty that Italian Serie A side Lecce have turned down a request from the Nigeria Football Federation to allow exciting winger Divine Onyemachi train with the Flying Eagles in the build-up to the 2025 Fifa U20 World Cup.

The Giallorossi's stance is consistent with a wider policy as fellow summer signing Matías Pérez – a regular for Chile’s U20s – has also been denied permission to join his country's pre-tournament camp.

Onyemachi, born in The Gambia and often compared to Atalanta star Ademola Lookman, agreed a move from West Bromwich Albion to Lecce in July. 

However, the transfer was only completed earlier this month when he turned 18.

Having already missed much of Lecce's pre-season programme, the club are reluctant to release him for national team duty, fearing it would hinder his adaptation to Italian football. 

Instead, Lecce plan to integrate the teenager gradually by giving him opportunities in cup competitions while keeping him embedded in their training schedule.

Although officially a Primavera player, Onyemachi trains with the first team twice a week, and Lecce are determined not to disrupt that rhythm as they oversee his development.

The NFF continue to face resistance from European clubs in their efforts to assemble a strong Flying Eagles squad.

Earlier this week, Chelsea also rejected a request for prolific U18 striker Chizaram Ezenwata to join the training camp.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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