Germany take biggest step yet to beat Nigeria to Eintracht Frankfurt defender

The German Football Association have made their most significant move so far to beat the Nigeria Football Federation to the services of talented Eintracht Frankfurt defender Nnamdi Collins, allnigeriasoccer.com reports. 

Collins has received his first call-up to Germany's senior national team for September's 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Slovakia and Northern Ireland. 

With manager Julian Nagelsmann naming only 23 players in his squad, the 21-year-old is expected to be included in the matchday squads for both fixtures.

Should Collins make his senior debut in either game, he would be cap-tied to Germany, in line with Fifa regulations. 

Under current rules, a player can represent two national teams only if he has played no more than three senior matches and all appearances came before his 21st birthday. 

Having already turned 21, Collins would no longer be eligible to switch to Nigeria once he earns his first senior cap.

The Düsseldorf-born centre-back has long been on the radar of the Nigeria Football Federation, but his extensive involvement with Germany's youth teams suggests his international future is with Die Mannschaft.

A key figure in the side that reached the final of the 2025 European U21 Championship, Collins has accumulated 34 youth appearances across all age groups, including 10 for the U21s.

Germany's success in securing dual-national players is well-documented, having already tied down Kevin Schade, Karim Adeyemi, Jamal Musiala, Felix Nmecha and Lukas Nmecha. 

However, Nigeria have also managed notable wins in the tug-of-war for German-Nigerian players, with Leon Balogun, Jordan Torunarigha and Kevin Akpoguma choosing the Super Eagles at senior level.

Collins, who came through the Borussia Dortmund academy before moving to Frankfurt, now stands at the heart of another high-stakes eligibility battle, one which Germany appear poised to win.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: dfb.de

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