The Super Eagles have had several players represent them over the years despite being eligible to play for other national teams. In recent years, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has continued to convince dual-nationality players to commit their international futures to Nigeria, with Femi Azeez, Ryan Alebiosu and Arthur Okonkwo among the notable names.
However, not every player has chosen to represent the three-time African champions, as some have opted to play for other countries instead.
This article looks at five players who turned down the opportunity to represent the Super Eagles in favour of other national teams.
Carney Chukwuemeka
Former Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka tops this list as one of the players to have snubbed the Super Eagles in recent years. The young midfielder was born in Austria to Nigerian parents and grew up in England, representing the latter at different youth levels.
He also received a senior call-up to the Three Lions but injury prevented him from featuring. The 22-year-old was approached by the Super Eagles scout to switch allegiance to Nigeria, but he turned down that opportunity, choosing to play for Austria instead.
Chukwuemeka then went on to represent the European side at the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament, which Nigeria missed out on.
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William Osula
Newcastle United striker William Osula is also another player who opted to play for another national team rather than feature for the Super Eagles.
The 23-year-old was eligible to play for Nigeria through his father and was approached by the NFF earlier in the year in order for him to switch allegiances.
Osula, who had already played for Denmark at the U19 and U21 levels, then went on to feature for the senior side in two games in June.
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Michael Kayode
Brentford right-back Michael Kayode is one of the latest players the Super Eagles have missed out on, as he only made his debut for Italy in September. The 22-year-old was born in Italy to Nigerian parents and had been scouted by the NFF for a long time.
However, Kayode never considered switching allegiances to play for the Super Eagles after he had represented Italy at youth levels, including helping them to win the U19 European Championship in 2023.
He eventually made his debut for the senior side last month and it was one to remember, after he scored in a 4-1 win over Turkey.
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Noah Atubolu
Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Noah Atubolu has also publicly declared his intention to play for Germany, despite different approaches from the NFF for him to consider switching allegiance to play for the Super Eagles.
The 24-year-old has earned multiple invitations to the German national team, including last month’s UEFA Nations League matches, although he is yet to make his debut for them.
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Honest Ahanor
Chelsea-bound defender Honest Ahanor completes this list. The highly rated versatile defender was born in Aversa, Italy to Nigerian parents which made him eligible to play for the Super Eagles.
Despite receiving different approaches from the NFF, the 18-year-old stated his preference to play for the Italian national team and made his debut in June, featuring in games against Luxembourg and Greece.
