Nathan Tella has said his family will be “over the moon” when he makes his Super Eagles debut.
He scored his first Bundesliga goal Sunday for Bayer Leverkusen to thrash Union Berlin 4-0.
The flying winger Tella has been handed his first-ever call-up by the Super Eagles for forthcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
“It’s always been about representing Nigeria,” Tella told BBC Sport Africa.
“My family will be over the moon to watch me fulfil that dream.
“I am proud of my British and Nigerian sides and lucky to have both backgrounds. Of course we have both worlds, but ours is a proper Nigerian home [with] culture, food and tradition.”
Born in Lambeth, England, but eligible for Nigeria through his parents, his international future had been the subject of significant speculation since he first began to make an impression in the youth set-up at Arsenal.
He will have to fight his way in the Super Eagles as he is up against several other top forwards like Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon who ply their trade in Europe.
“The players in the squad are talented and to compete against them in order to represent a massive nation like Nigeria is the stuff of dreams,” Tella said.
“Nigeria is undoubtedly one of the biggest in African football and the passion of the fans is on a different level.”
