Chelsea Striker Snubs England For Nigeria, Set To Lead Flying Eagles Attack

Chelsea Striker Snubs England For Nigeria, Set To Lead Flying Eagles Attack 

By Admin 

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has secured a major coup in its ongoing push to recruit diaspora talent, with Chelsea youth striker Chizaram “Chizzy” Ezenwata opting to represent Nigeria ahead of England and Cameroon, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Born in London in 2008, Ezenwata was eligible for England through birth, Cameroon via his mother, and Nigeria through his father, former Gombe United player Ndubuisi Ezenwata. Despite previously featuring for England’s U17 team—where he made four appearances and scored twice, including on his competitive debut against Malta in October 2024—the 16-year-old has chosen to commit his international future to the Flying Eagles.

Under FIFA regulations, players capped at youth level are permitted to switch national allegiance, a provision that has paved the way for Ezenwata’s decision. The highly rated forward is expected to link up with Nigeria’s U20 side on Monday, August 18, at their Abuja training camp, where head coach Aliyu Zubairu will assess him ahead of the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup.

The Flying Eagles, who struggled for goals at the recent WAFU B U20 Boys Cup, have been actively scouting dual-national forwards. Alongside Ezenwata, River Plate teenager Jonathan Spiff Asuzu has also accepted an invitation to join the squad.

Ezenwata’s decision follows a visit to the Super Eagles camp in West London on May 29, 2025, where he held discussions with head coach Eric Chelle and senior internationals about his pathway into Nigeria’s national teams.

The move is regarded as a significant victory for the NFF’s recruitment strategy, which has placed increasing emphasis on attracting diaspora talents to strengthen Nigeria’s player pool. Should Ezenwata make the final squad, he is expected to play a key role in Nigeria’s bid for success at the U20 World Cup.