Saka Turns Back On Nigeria With England Call-Up

By Ayodele Oluwafemi

Prospects of Nigerian born Britain based Arsenal youngster, Bukayo Saka playing for Nigeria dimmed on Thursday after England handed him a call up in the coming UEFA Nation League qualifiers against Belgium and Denmark.

Saka, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Harvey Barnes, were handed their first senior England call-ups for the England’s UEFA Nation League matches by Gary Southgage.

The matches are due on October 11 and 14.

Saka immediately went to town to welcome the call up.

“Honoured and grateful to get my first @england call up ! #Blessings ?,” Saka wrote.

Saka, 19, was born to Nigerian parents in Ealing, England, although he once said he is proud with his Nigerian heritage and undecided about his international future.

The Arsenal winger, who can also play as a left back, had represented England in U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 levels.

Commenting on his possible feature for Nigeria, Amaju Pinnick, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said the federation will not beg Saka and others to represent, but can play if they desire to play.

“Saka is an excellent prospect but we have other players in his position who are playing so well.

“We have talents everywhere so we won’t beg people to play for Nigeria. It is about ardour and fervour, If it’s their desire and they merit it, they’ll be given a chance to represent Nigeria,” Pinnick was quoted by Goal.

Meanwhile, the Arsenal teenager sensation can still feature for Nigeria, with the new FIFA rule on switching national teams allow players to switch, if they had played maximum of three matches for one national team at the senior stage before clocking 21 years old.

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