The Super Eagles of Nigeria have lost out in the chase of Arsenal wonderkid, Bukayo Saka as he finally got his first invitation to England’s National team.
Born in Ealing, London to Nigerian parents, the 19-year-old had represented England from under-16 to under-19 levels but was eligible to play for Nigeria, his parent’s country of birth.
Honoured and grateful to get my first @england call up ! #Blessings 💫 pic.twitter.com/YD3kx68y5L
— Bukayo Saka (@BukayoSaka87) October 1, 2020
- NFF won’t beg Bukayo Saka to play for Nigeria –Pinnick
- I’ll advise Saka to choose England over Nigeria – Arteta
Saka was listed in the 30-man squad released by Gareth Southgate on Thursday ahead of their upcoming games against Wales, Belgium and Denmark in the Nations League.
BREAKING: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Bukayo Saka and Harvey Barnes have been handed their first senior England call-ups, while Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden have been dropped.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 1, 2020
The Three-Lions also have lineup a friendly match with Wales on October 8 at Wembley.
Saka has been in fine form for Arsenal since breaking into the Gunners first team last season.
He signed a new contract with the team on July 1st just as he was handed the club’s number 7 jersey.
It would be recalled that the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick had in a recent interview said no footballer of Nigerian descent would be begged to play for the Super Eagles.
“There are many players that play like Bukayo Saka in Nigeria. We don’t want to go begging any player. We will monitor them, and those who are good enough and fit into the areas that the team needs will be approached, but after that, it all be up to them to come back to us if they are interested. If they do, we all work with them through the process of change of nationality. If they don’t, we will wish them well.” Pinnick said.
