The rescheduled 2020 European Championship kicked off on Friday, June 11 but because it is Europe does not mean that Nigeria won’t be subtly represented and there are five players of Nigerian descent out of the 622 players registered for the tournament. These five will represent four of the 16 countries that will jostle for the Henri Delaunay trophy to be awarded on July 11, 2021.
David Olatokunbo Alaba
The biggest name in the Austria national team, the 28-year-old defender/midfielder is a multi-winner in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League. Alaba’s father is Yoruba and his mother from the Philippines. He has played 81 times for Austria since making his debut in 2009 and in the process became the youngest ever player to debut for the national team. He has made a free transfer to Real Madrid after the 2020/21 Bundesliga season. Asked in an interview if he would have chosen Nigeria ahead of Austria, Alaba said, “I am proud to play for Austria. I was born and raised up in Austria, so I am proud to represent Austria.” He is also rumoured to have said he wanted to play for an underage team from Nigeria in 2007 but he was not considered. Whatever the case, he is part Nigeria, and he is at the 2020 Euro Championships.
Manuel Obafemi Akanji
Karim Onisiwo
The little-known forward plays in the Bundesliga with Mainz and for the Austria national football team. Onisiwo, like Alaba, has a Nigerian father and an Austrian mother. He made his debut for the Austria team in a friendly match against Switzerland in November 2015 and to date, has 11 caps and one goal.
Bukayo Saka
Jamal Musiala
Now that you know the Nigerians, which country will you be supporting at the Euros?
Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility
Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.
TEXT AD: To place an advert here . Call Willie - +2348098788999
JOIN THE CONVERSATION