Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, is planning to inject more Nigerians with dual nationalities into the Super Eagles defence.
This is due to the exploits of goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme and defenders, Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong, who have solidified the team’s backline.
Ikeme, 30, born in Birmingham to Nigerian dad and English mum, has made the goalkeeping department his own following the retirement of Vincent Enyeama.
On the other hand, Balogun and Troost-Ekong’s mum are German and Dutch respectively with the pair representing their country of birth at youth level.
They have simply been exceptional in the heart of the Eagles defence – forming a solid partnership described by Nigerians as “Oyibowall”.
And Rohr is looking to consolidate on the exploits of the trio by inviting more half-caste players to the team.
The Franco-German had failed to convince Tyrone Ebuehi to switch nationality, as the Dutch born defender who plays for ADO Den Haag asked for more time to focus on his club career.
Notwithstanding, Russian-born Brian Idowu is now being lined up to fill the problematic right-back position which was passed on by Ebuehi.
The 24-year-old, who plays his club football for FC Amkar Perm in the Russian Premier League, was a late omission from the squad for the last World Cup 2018 qualifier against Algeria.
Joining Idowu is Hungarian-Nigerian defender, Kenneth Otigba, who is being tipped to provide competition for Elderson Echiejile at left-back.
The 24-year-old currently plays his club football in Turkey with Kasimpasa.
Should Idowu and Otigba accept to play for the Eagles, it will be the first time all four of the country’s defenders as well as goalkeeper will be half-Nigerians.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to play Egypt in an international friendly in Dubai, in January next year.
