Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has tasked Alex Iwobi with convincing Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri to choose Nigeria over England. The 17-year-old midfielder has impressed in the Premier League, and Nigeria hopes to secure his commitment ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has tasked Alex Iwobi with persuading Arsenal's rising star, Ethan Nwaneri, to consider representing Nigeria at the senior level. Chelle, who recently met with Iwobi as part of his engagement with key Super Eagles players, wants the midfielder to leverage his Arsenal connections to initiate discussions with Nwaneri and his family.
Nwaneri, a highly rated 17-year-old midfielder born in London, has been making waves at Arsenal this season. He has scored three goals in 14 Premier League appearances and is regarded as one of the club’s brightest young talents. Currently, he represents England at the youth level, but Nigeria is keen to secure his international future.
The move aligns with Nigeria’s strategy of recruiting top talents of Nigerian descent playing abroad, similar to how players like Ademola Lookman and Fikayo Tomori were approached. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is closely monitoring the situation, hoping to convince Nwaneri to switch allegiance before he commits fully to England.
Nwaneri’s technical skills, vision, and ability to play in multiple midfield roles have made him a sought-after prospect. If he agrees to play for the Super Eagles, he could become a key player for Nigeria in the coming years, especially as the team prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
With iwobi's influence and Chelle’s proactive approach, Nigeria hopes to add another promising talent to its squad
