The Super Eagles are racing against time for Chelsea stars Lesley Ugochukwu and Carney Chukwuemeka to change international allegiance to time for next month’s must-win 2026 World Cup qualifiers, SCORENigeria has learnt.
Both players have been listed on the Super Eagles 31-man provisional squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe as new Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle pushes to bring more quality to the midfield.
Ugochukwu, 20, is a defensive midfielder who is currently on loan at Southampton in the Premier League. He is also the nephew of former Super Eagles Onyekachi Apam.
He has already represented France, where he was born, at U20 level.
Chukwuemeka, 20, on the other hand, is currently on loan at top Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund from Chelsea.
He is a central midfielder and has represented England at age-grade levels – U17, U18, U19, U20, U21
I hope both players have been officially contacted and sought their interest to avoid unwanted situation like Tammy Abraham saga during the era of Amaju Picnik as NFF president.
It will be a good addition to SE if both players switch allegiance to Nigeria.