Fulham’s Calvin Bassey urges young footballers of Nigerian heritage, like Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, to pick Nigeria over England.
Highly-rated football talents born in England with Nigerian roots have been difficult for the Super Eagles to convince to represent Nigeria in recent years.
Players such as Bukayo Saka, Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori, Ebere Eze, Dominic Solanke, and others have all chosen to represent England instead.
Bassey has issued a heartfelt message to Nwaneri and other young players like him amid reports that England may give Nwaneri his first senior international call-up in March.
 "Go back to your family root - Bassey urges Nigerian descents, as with NFF battling for Nwaneri 1")
Super Eagles of Nigeria stars Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo link up over food.
 "Go back to your family root - Bassey urges Nigerian descents, as with NFF battling for Nwaneri 2")
Fulham manager Marco Silva has explained his choice to bench Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Bassey’s advice to Nigerian descents
The 24-year-old defender told NBC Sports that his decision was heavily influenced by a strong connection to his Nigerian heritage and the legacy of Nigerian football legends.
Baseey said, “I think it’s good. With us going back to our family roots, I think a lot more players have done it as well.
Calvin Bassey in action for Fulham || Imago
“I feel like because most of us were first-generation, we really feel connected to our Nigerian roots.
“We know how big of a country it is and how big they are in football, with some of the Nigerian stars that came through — Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, John Obi Mikel… there are so many stars!
“For us, we looked up to these guys, and we wanted to be part of it. It’s a nice feeling. Hopefully, we inspire more boys who are born in England to at least consider playing back home.”
Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri is one of the most exciting players to emerge from the newest generation of dual-national soccer stars.
Ethan Nwaneri in action for Arsenal || Imago
The 17-year-old midfielder was born in England, but his parents were born in Nigeria, making him eligible to play for either country.
The NFF and the England FA are both vying for the midfielder, who has yet to decide which country he will represent.
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