Heartbreak for Nigeria as Southgate names Eze in England squad for Qatar 2022

Nov 3, 2022 - 13:36 Updated: Nov 3, 2022 - 14:33

Eze

Jennifer Okoye

Nigeria’s hope to field Eberechi Eze in the Super Eagles has gotten dimmer, with the inclusion of the Crystal Palace winger in England's provisional World Cup squad by manager Gareth Southgate.

Born in England to Nigerian parents, Eze and other Nigeria-born British players were pursued by Amaju Pinnick to play for the Super Eagles when he was NFF president.

While the likes of Joe Aribo, Ademola Lookman and others obey the call to serve Nigeria, Bukayo Saka, Tammy Abraham and Eze choose to wait for the England manager’s call.

While Saka and Abraham have been called and capped by England, Eze the last of the trio was named by Southgate in his 55-man provisional list for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

If Eze makes the final or plays in any of the friendly matches in the build-up to the world cup chance that he may play for the Super Eagles in future is very slim.

Other players in the Southgate list are James Maddison, Danny Welbeck who has been in exile for a while and Callum Wilson is also among the outsiders still in contention to be selected in England's World Cup squad.