The lastest inclusion of Arsenal starlet Bukayo Saka in the England list of invited players ahead of their next round of matches against Wales, Belgium and Denmark has sparkle and irk criticism from disappointed football fans in Nigeria.
Saka, a son of Nigerian immigrants, was eligible to play for either his country of birth England or country of origin Nigeria but it appears Gareth Southgate has secure his international career for the 3 Lions.
The development has left disappointment in the heart of some section of Super Eagles fans as they thought Nigeria Football Federation had done enough to convince the teenager to switch allegiance to Nigeria.
But in reality, what's the justification for their expectation on Saka to ditch England for Nigeria? Did Saka ever see himself as British or Nigerian? In which system would he fit in and adapt to easily, Nigeria or England?
Saka has represented England at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-21 level.
According to information available on Wikipedia Saka was included in the England under-17 squad as they hosted the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in May 2018.
In September 2018, he scored the winner for the England under-18 team in an away game against France.
In November 2018, Saka received his first call-up to the England under-19 team. He scored on his debut at that age level in a qualifier against Moldova.
On 4 September 2020, Saka made his debut for England U21s during a 6-0 victory away to Kosovo.
Instead of disappointment with Saka decision to pitch tent with England, Nigerians should look to the direction of their football Administrators and ask some fundamental questions about the development of football in the country. In terms of infrastructure and developmental programs how fare is the federation doing?
As posited by Yomi Kuku, the CEO of Search and Groom- a youth for development centre, "While Nigerians are busy whining over why one player (Bukayo Saka) of Nigerian heritage should not play for his country of birth. The United States, a country known for sports outside of football; which they derogatorily refer to as soccer, are producing youngsters that will torment their opponents, which may include Nigeria, in years to come."
It's high time NFF go back to the drawing board and curv out a development program that will churn out talented players like Bukayo Saka instead of waiting on the horizon to profit from other country's product.
Saka, a son of Nigerian immigrants, was eligible to play for either his country of birth England or country of origin Nigeria but it appears Gareth Southgate has secure his international career for the 3 Lions.
The development has left disappointment in the heart of some section of Super Eagles fans as they thought Nigeria Football Federation had done enough to convince the teenager to switch allegiance to Nigeria.
But in reality, what's the justification for their expectation on Saka to ditch England for Nigeria? Did Saka ever see himself as British or Nigerian? In which system would he fit in and adapt to easily, Nigeria or England?
Saka has represented England at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-21 level.
According to information available on Wikipedia Saka was included in the England under-17 squad as they hosted the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in May 2018.
In September 2018, he scored the winner for the England under-18 team in an away game against France.
In November 2018, Saka received his first call-up to the England under-19 team. He scored on his debut at that age level in a qualifier against Moldova.
On 4 September 2020, Saka made his debut for England U21s during a 6-0 victory away to Kosovo.
Instead of disappointment with Saka decision to pitch tent with England, Nigerians should look to the direction of their football Administrators and ask some fundamental questions about the development of football in the country. In terms of infrastructure and developmental programs how fare is the federation doing?
As posited by Yomi Kuku, the CEO of Search and Groom- a youth for development centre, "While Nigerians are busy whining over why one player (Bukayo Saka) of Nigerian heritage should not play for his country of birth. The United States, a country known for sports outside of football; which they derogatorily refer to as soccer, are producing youngsters that will torment their opponents, which may include Nigeria, in years to come."
It's high time NFF go back to the drawing board and curv out a development program that will churn out talented players like Bukayo Saka instead of waiting on the horizon to profit from other country's product.
Comments