World Cup : Top 5 players Nigerian fans will root for, including Arsenal star and Chelsea product :: All Nigeria Soccer

Nigeria will not be among the 32 teams that will grace the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar but there are nations that will play at the 22nd edition of the tournament with Nigerian-born players.

Allnigeriasoccer.com looks at the players with Nigerian heritage that Nigerian fans will be supporting.

1. Bukayo Saka (England, Arsenal)

Arsenal fans in Nigeria will be the first set of fans to back England to reach the latter stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Gunners are flying at the moment and will be top of the tree when the Premier League restarts on Boxing day.

The deserved and expected inclusion of the winger will bring some measure of pride to Nigerians all over the world especially if Saka reproduces same form as he does for the north London club.

2. Manuel Akanji (Switzerland, Manchester City)

Manuel Akanji has a Nigerian father and a Swiss mother. He took up the chance to represent the Swiss national team and that has paid off for him.

Akanji is doing very well at Manchester City following his move from Borussia Dortmund  and Premier League followers would naturally take to him.

3. Jamaal Musiala  (Germany, Bayern Munch)

Chelsea academy product Jamaal Musiala is one player that in few years away from now Nigerians could rue his decision to play for Germany and not the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The Bayern Munich attacking midfielder has continued to impress for the Bavarians and his goal threat and intelligence are key to why the German champions are top of the table.

4. Karim Adeyemi (Germany, Borussia Dortmund)

The young Adeyemi is also heading to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar to represent Germany.

Adeyemi is still young and its uncertain how his future in the game will pan out but on the basis of the promise that he has shown thus far, it’s sad that he is not gracing the World Cup in the green and white jersey of Nigeria.

5. Noah Okafor (Switzerland, Red Bull Salzburg)

Noah Arinzechukwu Okafor has been sensational for Austrian side RB Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League this season.

Even Nigerians who never watched football will not have issues identifying him as ‘one of their own’ in Qatar.

Unfortunately he now represents Switzerland at the international level but a scant consolation for Nigerians is that not all Nigerian stars will play for the Super Eagles.

And anyone having the name ‘Okafor’ in their passport must be from the South Eastern part of Nigeria by heritage.

Football is just the career!
Izuchukwu Michael
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