Super Eagles may have “signed” a tripartite agreement in North America but will only be there in spirits. The world gathers again to celebrate global football in the USA, Canada & Mexico without the Nigerian flavours as Congo DR stopped the three-time African champions.
But the spirit men will be there to fly the Nigerian flags but with a mixed blood.
The Nigerian blood gushing in the “team” isn’t green after all but flowing in different colours representing different roots. Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osihmen, Alex Iwobi, Simon Moses et al have since moved into the spirits of the team flying Nigeria’s flags in the Mundial.
The jamboree kicks off tomorrow with Ime Akpan swapping Nigeria’s flag for South Africa’s Rainbow Flag for the opening game entertaining co-hosts Mexico at Estadio Atzeca, Mexico City.
Akpan’s “compatriots” will file out for their respective adopted countries as hostilities heat up. A grand total of 15 Nigerians, the highest number of diaspora players, will be wearing different colours of their adopted countries in the Mundial with England keeping three of them in the Three Lions’ den.
Canada also have three Nigerians in their squad m In goal, Owen Goodman is the gloves man for the co-hosts Canada and will be eyeing his debut for Canada in the World Cup. Third choice for Orlando City keeper Maxime Crepeau and Inter Miami CF keeper Dayne St.Clair, Goodman could prove why he dumped Nigeria for Canada in the coming days, should he get the coach Jesse Marsch’s nod.
Born of Nigerian mother and English father, the 22-year old on-loan Barnsley ‘keeper turned down the offer to join the Nigeria U-23 side few years back.
In defence, superstar David Alaba is once again given the bragging rights and presidential approval with the Captain’s band to lead Austria to the battle fields. Born of Nigerian father and Filipino mother, David, six-time consecutive Austrian Player of the Year, will be playing in his third World Cup. Supremely talented and one-time one of the most sought defenders in the world, marshals, sweeps, clears, tackles in his hallowed defence confines with ease and he won’t stop in the coming days.
When Austria battles Jordan on June 16 at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, the powerful Real Madrid defender will be making his 114th appearance. With the full captaincy responsibility hanging on his 33rd year old shoulders, Alaba will be expected to pop up to add to his 15 goals for Austria.
Joining his “compatriot” in the defence for the “Super Eagles” is Manuel Akanji, the superstar Switzerland play-any-where-in-defence star defender.
Akanji, like Alaba, will be making his third World Cup appearance and will be bringing his wealth of experience making him the number one choice in the defence for the coach Murat Yakin side. The towering Inter Milan defender is tough nut in defence and will not be entertaining his adversaries with soft music in the Mundial. His 81st cap feat will have some more additions in the World Cup.
World Cup debutante Ime Okon saw the radar to the Mundial with the Bafana Bafana’s ship and didn’t bother about any more inquiries from Eric Chelle. Born in Florida, Gauteng Province, to South African father and Nigerian mother, Akpan figures prominently in the plans of coach Hugo Broos and could be handed bigger responsibilities in the World Cup.
The Hanover 96 Germany central defender could effectively stray to right or left back and still smell of roses coming out of the roles. He will be adding to his five caps thus far with a surprise starter against co-hosts, Mexico on Wednesday.
In the midfield, Jamal Musiala is the conductor of orchestra that includes Ebere Eze, Noni Madueke and Michael Olise. The Bayern Munich superstar midfielder seemed to be keep his best for the last – in the USA, Canada & Mexico World Cup, coming back from injury to be smoking hot for Germany.
Nicknamed Bambi, the 23-year old star, born of Nigerian-British father and German mother, will trade his superb vision and goals once again for the Julian Nagelsmann side side. He’s scored nine goals in 42 appearances for the Mannschaft thus far.
Ebere Eze was so close to wearing the Eagles’ colours but was lost in space, choosing to prey with the Three Lions. The supremely exciting midfielder wasn’t going to miss ex-England manager Gareth Southgate’s bus as Eagles pushed frantically and it wasn’t surprising Southgate finally landed him.
Current manager Thomas Tuchel refused to return his gaze from the Arsenal star as he continues to play the former Crystal Palace star regularly. With his current form of leading Arsenal to the English Premier League win and Champions League losing finalists, Eze is expected to continue where he left off.
Tuchel will be banking on Eze-Declan Rice partnership to push to the football coming home dreams of England. He’s played 16 times and scored three goals thus far with the 1966 World Cup champions.
“Reuniting” with his Palace killer tag team, Michael Olise will be fun for the “Super Eagles” team in the USA, Canada & Mexico. While Eze chose to prey with the Lions, Olise chose the Garlic Rooster as his fortress for the Bastille Day and the Bayern Munich superstar isn’t slowing down yet.
His debut World Cup is his special song and yet he isn’t loud about it. Spectacularly weird in his carefree mode, the world is rest assured of his exquisite showing in the Le Blues’ colours. Seven goals already in the bag in 17 appearances for France, Olise sends a clear message of what to expect of him in the World Cup.
Noni Madueke, born of Nigerian parentage in Barnet, London, is flying high with club and country and manager Tuchel welcomes him with the English rose. Fresh from the English Premier League win with Arsenal, Madueke adds to the quality England parade in the midfield.
Chased by Nigeria but preferred his country of birth, Madueke will surely be flying seemingly from the England bench as Tuchel agrees with the English FA to eye the crown again for years since 1966. He’s good enough for 10 international games for England going into the Mundial.
Bukayo Saka is the undisputed livewire in the “Super Eagles” attack in the USA, Canada & Mexico as Tuchel counts on him to drive the Three Lions. Quintessentially brilliant with the ball on his left foot, England’s opponents will surely be in for a Saka rough ride.
Unconvinced he would fly well with the Eagles, the Lions’ den was irresistible for the Arsenal superstar. England wouldn’t have none of his usual trademark goal-best style with his brilliant left foot missing in the English firmament, Eagles were muscled to quit pushing for the Ealing, Greater London home grown star. His 14-goal account in 48 appearances is as attractive as the scoring machine, himself.
Tuchel is surely counting on him for goals for the Three Lions.
Folarin Balogun will join his “compatriot” Saka in the three-pronged “Super Eagles” attack in the World Cup.
The New York-born Monaco star, born of Nigerian parentage, preferred to play for USA, despite being raised in England and nurtured at Arsenal academy. Transfered for a whooping €40 million from Arsenal, Balogun has proved a well groomed goal poacher for Monaco.
Coach Mauricio Pochetino will be banking on his goals to improve USA’s World Cup second round record. He’s netted nine times in 29 outings for the US.
Towering Promise David was almost in the Eagles’ wings but chose to score for Canada. The U-23 team had him in their team and even played two games for the team. Going back and harvesting goals for his clubs, putting his uneventful Nigerian U-23 stint behind him and attracting his country of birth, was a clincher for him.
When he invaded Belgium with his goal to team up with Cinderella team Union Saint-Gilloise, Promise’s stocks had risen tremendously. Winning the Belgian treble in his first season, Eagles were back with wings to fly, but Promise kept his promise with Canada. Recovered in time from excruciating hip injury he copped in February 2026 to the arms of coach Jesse Marsch,
Promise will not only keep a promise to score but score for the co-hosts. His three goals’ account in 10 appearances for Canada isn’t bad for the promising striker.
Substitutes for these Super Eagles World Cup XI would include Luke Okafor, Tani Oluwaseyi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Felix Nmecha and Antonio Nusa.
