Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has explained how talented midfielder Eberechi Eze came close to representing Nigeria before eventually choosing England at senior international level.
The former football administrator disclosed that discussions with the player and his family had advanced significantly before the move unexpectedly collapsed.
Nigeria Nearly Secured Eberechi Eze
According to Amaju Pinnick, the process of convincing Eberechi Eze to play for the Super Eagles was already at an advanced stage years ago.
The former NFF boss revealed that conversations with the player’s family were positive, and important paperwork connected to the nationality switch had reportedly been prepared.
Pinnick suggested that at one point, there was genuine confidence that the talented midfielder would eventually wear Nigerian colours internationally.
How Eberechi Eze’s Nigeria Connection Started
The possibility of Eberechi Eze representing Nigeria first attracted attention in 2017 while he was still a young player at Queens Park Rangers.
At the time, the midfielder attended a Super Eagles training camp in London after receiving an invitation from former national team coach Gernot Rohr.
The England-born footballer was also photographed wearing a Nigerian jersey, fueling excitement among supporters who hoped he would commit to the Super Eagles.
However, proposed friendly matches linked to the camp were later cancelled due to security concerns.
Amaju Pinnick Speaks About Meetings With Eze’s Family
While discussing the issue publicly, Amaju Pinnick disclosed that he personally met with Eberechi Eze’s father during the recruitment process.
Gossip News Now reports that the former NFF president also confirmed holding discussions with the player’s sister, who reportedly handled management responsibilities for the midfielder at the time.
According to Pinnick, both sides initially reached an understanding regarding Eze’s potential switch to Nigeria.
He explained that the player’s camp later requested additional time before circumstances eventually changed.
Why The Deal Never Happened
The former football administrator hinted that delays in finalising the process may have played a major role in Nigeria losing the player.
He also suggested that his eventual departure from the NFF leadership affected continuity in the discussions surrounding the nationality switch.
Despite the failed move, Pinnick insisted that Eberechi Eze genuinely appreciated Nigeria and seriously considered the possibility of representing the country.
England Eventually Won The Race
After years of speculation regarding his international future, Eberechi Eze eventually committed to England and made his senior debut for the Three Lions in 2023.
Since then, the midfielder has become part of England’s national team setup and has continued building his international career at senior level.
The Arsenal midfielder is now regarded as one of the talented attacking players within the English squad.
Nigeria Previously Missed Other Foreign-Born Talents
During Amaju Pinnick’s time as NFF president, Nigeria successfully convinced several foreign-born players to represent the Super Eagles.
Notable names included Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman, and Ola Aina.
However, the country also lost other high-profile prospects such as Tammy Abraham, Jamal Musiala, Karim Adeyemi, and eventually Eberechi Eze.
Pinnick additionally admitted that persuading Ademola Lookman to choose Nigeria was also a difficult process that required intense negotiations.
Debate Over Dual-Nationality Players Continues
The story surrounding Eberechi Eze has once again reignited discussions among Nigerian football fans regarding the challenge of recruiting foreign-born talents.
Supporters remain divided over whether the NFF should intensify efforts toward diaspora recruitment or focus more heavily on developing local football structures.
Many fans also believe early engagement and long-term planning are becoming increasingly important in modern international football competition.
Commentary And Analysis
The revelation from Amaju Pinnick highlights how competitive international football recruitment has become for countries with large diaspora populations like Nigeria.
Top football nations now aggressively compete for dual-nationality players long before they reach senior level.
The situation also reflects how timing, administrative stability, and personal relationships can significantly influence a player’s final international decision.
