Highly-rated Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor will now need to be cleared by world football governing body FIFA to play for the Super Eagles after he made his debut for Italy U21s.
Ahanor was a second-half sub for Italy U21s in a 4-0 spanking of Sweden Monday.
Brentford fullback Michael Kayode, who also has Nigerian roots, played the entire match.
Eighteen-year-old left back Ahanor has made 16 appearances for Atalanta this season and his displays have already attracted interests from top clubs across Europe.
Atalanta splashed five million euros to sign the youngster from Genoa last summer.
