African footballers. With African teams leading in world football we think it’s high time we acknowledged 5 Nigerian defenders in Europe’s leagues not playing or on the radar for the Super Eagles.
1. Aje Alese (Sunderland)
His real name is Ajibola Joshu Odunayo Afolarin Alese. The 22-year-old has emerged as one of the best players that Sunderland has to offer even as the struggle to join the English Premier League.
Ajibola has shown he is very comfortable in the left back position at the heart of the team’s defence and has proven to be a player the Super Eagles can call up. The player has played a total of 19 games this season and this score could have been more had he not suffered an injury and had fitness issues.
2. Emmanuel Aiwu (Cremonense)
The 22 year old played in 22 Italian Series A games this season. The Austrian youth international is yet to be capped at senior level and as at 2019 was approached by then Nigeria U20 Coach Paul Aigbogun maybe to prompt him to join the team.
3. Moris Jenz (Schalke 04)
The on loan Lorient defender has Nigerian roots even though he carries a German passport. The player said he is focusing on representing Germany but he still left the door to representing Nigerian open. Since moving to Schalke Moris has been nothing but a star payer and the team is yet to lose in all the 5 games he has played for them.
Germany has not capped him at an level and hence he remains available for immediate invitation.
4. Shawn Adewoye (Waalwijk)
Shawn was born in Belgium to a father of Nigerian descent. The 22 year old has earned rave reviews for his performance in the Dutch Eredivisie. This season he has played in all 23 game this season and picked up two man of the match awards. He also has a goal to his name.
5. Jonas David (Hamburg)
The Hamburg defender was on the radar ahead of a potential call up the senior national tam of Nigeria under coach Gernot Rohr. He also appears to be one who has been contacted but he has not made a decision on his inclusion into the team.
His performances for a promotion chasing Hamburg should no dub accelerate a call up especially with the issues around the defence of Nigeria.
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