ODEMWINGIE ADVISES SAKA ON NIGERIA – ENGLAND DECISION

By Olayi Elebute

Former Super Eagles striker, Osaze Odemwingie has advised Bukayo Saka to seek the views of his parents and divine intervention over who to play for between Nigeria and England at international level.

Although the Arsenal ace winger has featured for England at the junior levels, he is still eligible to play for Nigeria at the senior level.

But Odemwinge told Saka that Nigeria remains the best choice when deciding his international future.

Saka’s allegiance currently lies with 1966 world champions, England, a country he has represented at various youth levels.

The versatile winger is, however, still eligible to star for three-time African champions, Nigeria, who have reportedly approached him intending to add him to Gernot Rohr’s exciting, young squad

Odemwingie, does not want the Nigeria Football Federation to force or beg the youngster to wear the green-and-white.

“I’m a believer that anything forced or manipulated in life never ends up good,” Odemwingie told ESPN.

“The choice must come from those players. As they said, the door is open, but it has to come from their hearts, and it has to be full commitment without looking back.

“If he says hundred percent, I’m ready, I want to play for Nigeria, even if I’m in Real Madrid and World Player of the Year. If he says that himself, then you know, you can cap him now.”
Odemwingie was once in Saka’s shoes with the ex-Lille star choosing to play for Nigeria after having excelled as a youth international for Russia.

Odemwinge said he has no regret deciding for Nigeria, and he has urged Saka to do the same. “Obviously, some Nigerian boys will choose differently, like Tammy Abraham. I don’t think it has anything to do with lack of interest for his roots or his Nigerian background. You have to respect everybody’s choice. “But I will advise guys like that to play for Nigeria,” he explained.

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