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Bukayo Saka and Jamal Musiala join four stars who could've made formidable Nigeria XI
Bukayo Saka and Jamal Musiala are among a star-studded roster of players who could've represented Nigeria.
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Nigeria have slipped down as the fourth highest-ranked African nation in the FIFA world rankings, trailing Senegal, Morocco and Tunisia. But they could've enjoyed a golden era if players like Bukayo Saka and Jamal Musiala chose to represent them over England and Germany.
Saka has cemented his status as a regular starter for England amid an incredible season at Arsenal.
The 21-year-old's parents are Nigerian, but he represented England at youth level and was handed his senior debut by Gareth Southgate in October 2020.
Musiala could've joined Saka among England's ranks, but he snubbed the Three Lions and Nigeria for Germany.
He was born to a British-Nigerian father and a German mother, representing England at U17 level.
Nigeria attempted to convince him to commit his allegiance as a 19-year-old in 2020, but he debuted for Germany in March 2021 and is now a key player.
Express Sport pinpoints four more top-level players who could've had represented Nigeria...
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Fikayo Tomori (England)
Fikayo Tomori has made a real name for himself at AC Milan, and he made his England debut in November 2019.
The centre-back was eligible for Nigeria through his parents, and may have been tempted by former Chelsea team-mate Ola Aina's decision to choose the Super Eagles.
But he fancied his chances to break into Southgate's thinking and opted for England, for whom he has earned three caps.
Many believe the manager has unfairly overlooked him in recent internationals, including at the 2022 World Cup.
Manuel Akanji (Switzerland)
Manuel Akanji has enjoyed an impressive first season at Manchester City after joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
He was born in Neftenbach, Switzerland, to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father, making him eligible to represent the latter.
But Akanji wanted to play for his country of birth, making a name for himself at youth level before earning 49 senior caps.
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David Alaba (Austria)
David Alaba was born in Austria to a Nigerian father and Filipino mother and spent the final years of his youth career at Bayern Munich in Germany.
Nigeria attempted to secure his allegiance at an early age, but he rejected the chance to play in the 2007 FIFA U17 World Cup.
He then earned his first Austria senior cap in 2009 and is now one away from his 100th for the country.
Tammy Abraham (England)
Tammy Abraham could have also represented Nigeria but opted for England when he made his senior debut against the Czech Republic in 2019.
It didn't come without controversy, though. Abraham's father is close friends with Nigeria Football Federation President Amaju Pinnick.
In September 2017, Pinnick claimed that Abraham has chosen Nigeria, only for the then-Chelsea star to issue a statement later that day denying the claim.
The AS Roma striker has netted three times in 11 caps, and will hope to battle his way into the Euro 2024 squad.
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