In recent times, Nigeria has had affiliates in various part of the world in the world of Football. This fact sheds light on the fact that Nigeria is indeed a ‘Talented Nation’. Most of these players either choose to play for their Adopted countries rather than their Native countries. This has led to the loss of quality players by Nigeria.

The likes of Oguchi Onyewu, David Alaba, Sidney Sam, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Angelo Ogbonna, Jores Okore. These players are with Nigerian descent that have chosen to switch allegiance to their ‘Adopted Countries’ rather than playing for Nigeria.
This article will analyse the profiles of Nigerians in diaspora, how these lost Nigerian talents could have contributed to Nigeria’s team from 2013 and beyond.

1. Oguchi Onyewu
Oguchialu Chijioke “Oguchi” Onyewu (bornMay 13, 1982) is an American soccer central defender who is currently a free agent. Onyewu’s parents moved to the United States from Nigeria to study in Washington, D.C. They are ethnic Igbo people of Nigeria. He made his first appearance for the senior national team on October 13, 2004, against Panama. Onyewu has been capped by USA 64 times. Oguchi still remains a free agent after Sporting announced the termination of his contract by mutual consent.

2. Angelo Ogbonna
Ogbonna was born to Nigerian parents who emigrated to Italy from Nigeria in 1983, settling in the city of Cassino in the central part of the country, but managed to obtain Italian citizenship only after his 18th birthday.

He made his debut for Italy back in November 2011 in a friendly 2– nil win against Poland, where he came on as substitute He was also included in the Italian 23-man final squad for UEFA Euro 2012, but never played in any match during the competition. He finished the tournament with a Silver medal though. He currently plays for Juventus after his “big money” move from Torino.

3. Dennis Aogo:
Born to a Nigerian father and a German mother, Aogo grew up in Oberreut, a suburb in the south-west of Karlsruhe. Aogo is capable of playing either as a left back or as a defensive midfielder. He currently plays for FC Schalke 04 (on loan from Hamburger SV) and the German national team.

Nigeria gave him the chance to play for them at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa but on the 5th of January 2010, Aogo announced that he will only play for Germany. He made his national team debut for Germany in a friendly match against Malta in a 3–0 victory on 13 May 2010, playing 79 minutes, before being replaced by Jérôme Boateng. He has been capped 12 times since then.

4. David Alaba:
David Olatokunbo Alaba was born in Vienna to a Filipino mother (a nurse) and a Nigerian father (a DJ and former rapper). He currently plays for Bayern Munich and the Austria national football team.

Alaba was instrumental in Bayern’s treble winning team last season . He has played a multitude of roles, including central midfield, right and left wing. In October 2009, he was called up to the senior Austria national team for a match against France. He made his debut in this game, making him the youngest player in the history of the Austrian national team. He has since being capped by Austria 26 times. He is unarguably one of the top left backs in football presently.

5. Okaka Chuka:
Stefano Chuka Okaka (born 9 August 1989 in Castiglione del Lago, Perugia, Italy) to Nigerian parents who later obtained Italian citizenship. Okaka joined the Roma youth system in 2004.

He currently is an Italian International who currently plays as a striker for Spezia Calcio on loan from Serie A club Parma. After gaining Italian citizenship in 2007, Okaka was selected for the Italian Under-19 side. He made his debut for the Italy U-20 team in 2008, scoring two goals. On 17 November 2009, he made his debut with the Italy U-21 squad in a match against Luxembourg. He has never been capped at senior level. With changes to the Fifa rule, he can still represent Nigeria if he wants to.

6. Gabriel Agbonlahor:
Gabriel Imuetinyan “Gabby” Agbonlahor (born 13 October 1986). Agbonlahor was one of four children born to a Nigerian father and a Scottish mother in Birmingham. Agbonlahor’s ancestry qualifies him to play for Scotland or Nigeria at international level, but he chose to play for his homeland of England.

Agbonlahor is a product of Aston Villa’s Academy and still plays for the club. He is also Aston Villa’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer. On 19 November, he made his international debut against Germany. He played for 76 minutes. Since then he has earned only three caps for the English national team.

7. Patrick Owomoyela
Patrick Owomoyela (born 5 November 1979) He was born to a German mother and a Nigerian father. Owomoyela plays as a right-sided defender/midfielder.

He is a German footballer who is currently a free agent, having last played for German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund. He made his debut for Germany in an Asian tour, playing 90 minutes in a 3–0 win over Japan, on the 16th of December 2004, in Yokohama. Since then, he has had 11 caps to his name.

8. Nedum Onuoah:
Chinedum “Nedum” Onuoha (born 12 November 1986) is footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers. He is a defender, typically a centre back, but he can also play at right back or left back. Born in Warri, Nigeria, Onuoha was brought up in Manchester, England.

In March 2007, Onuoha received an international call up from Nigeria, but announced he would like to represent England at full international level. However, he has since admitted that he would play at the FIFA World Cup for Nigeria if he were to be called up. Onuoha has never been capped by England at international level.

9. Carl Ikeme:
Carl Onora Ikeme (born 8 June 1986) is a footballer who plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers as a goalkeeper. Despite his English birthplace, he has chosen to represent Nigeria at international level. He has been called up to the Super Eagles squad but has not yet played for them.

10.Emmanuel Adebayor
Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor was born in Togo to Nigerian parents and plays for Tottenham Hotspurs in England and the Togo National Team. He previously played for AS Monaco, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Adebayor was eligible to play for Nigeria but chose to represent the country of his birth. He was voted African Player of the Year in 2008 while playing for Togo. He has played for them 57 times.

There is no gainsaying here, I put it to all Nigerians that if all these Nigerians in diaspora were integrated into the national team. Nigeria will be at the very top, I mean the top 10 of FIFA ranking, which is where we belong. #ProudlyNigerian.

Source: http://footyblast.com/2013/10/09/top-10-nigerian-stars-who-chose-not-to-play-for-the-super-eagles/

Ftc Just In Case It Makes Fp....Nd Dis Guy Who Is Playin For Scotland@kelechi Anya Or So Dat Scored Against Germany

Emmanuel Adebayor is not a nigerian (i wonder why people see him as a nigerian, probably because of his name) for the list i don't see any of them that nigeria is missing EXCEPT David Alaba..... Ooohhhh, ohh Alaba Market.

Don't even no what this guys are looking for outside Nigeria...Famesha na only Alaba and Agbonlahor e pain me for!!!we don't need the rest

Majority of them were not born here...
Anyway no be by force.

@Feyif : how e dey do you?

medicine after death. btw we have other tallented players that have not been called up to the national team that are better than some of these guys u mentioned. naija is truelly blessed

The ones we have now nkor...only David Alaba, Oguchi n Ogbonna would offer us anything better because we lack real quality at the heart of our defence


Meanwhile what has happened to Obafemi Martins that we pleaded with to play for Nigeria, where is he today in the super eagles n let us not mention Victor Moses who has declined steadily since his first game with the Super Eagles. What of Sone Aluko, Bright Dike, Leon Balogun and the list goes on...


Our problems are not the players alone, its the entire system, its not Just Keshi or Mikel its the entire system from Danagog (sports minister) down to the players meanwhile we also the fans have to share the blame too

#EnuffSaid

It not all about the players,we need effective management.But you talked as if this players are magicians,despite after not choosing to play for Nigeria which of them av get xo close to win Ballo 'd 'or.so tell me how do we miss them.

feyif: Just In Case It Makes Fp

You are beautiful!

spanzed: Don't even no what this guys are looking for outside Nigeria...Famesha na only Alaba and Agbonlahor e pain me for!!!we don't need the rest

For me, i no need Agbonlahor na only Emmanuel Adebayor and Davide Alaba i for need.

M4gunners: For me, i no need Agbonlahor na only Emmanuel Adebayor and Davide Alaba i for need.

Lol wetin dat one sabi play tall for nothing

spanzed: Lol wetin dat one sabi play tall for nothing

Anyway you are right atleast for now he is not playiing well.But don't for get his time in arsenal! He was named africa footballer of the year 2008, He scored one of the best goal in CL then.

M4gunners: Anyway you are right atleast for now he is not playiing well.But don't for get his time in arsenal! He was named africa footballer of the year 2008, He scored of of the best goal in CL then.

My brother u urself said then his time has past..

etebefia: Emmanuel Adebayor is not a nigerian.

He is from osun state.

Nigeria has been losing players to other countries since 1980's .

What about me?

I am born of Nigerian Parents but decided to play for India national team.

I wouldn't want to play for a clueless Coach like Keshi and play with a snail that calls himself Mikel Obi.

4. David Alaba:
David Olatokunbo Alaba was born in Vienna to a
Filipino mother (a nurse) and a Nigerian father (a
DJ and former rapper). He currently plays for
Bayern Munich and the Austria national football
team.

I have watched this guy played against borussia and I tell you he is very good.
Like our version of the national pledge "to serve Nigeria is not by force".

Do you know Emmanuel Adebayo was a cripple as a child, and got healed in a church? Read the emotional story of his life Here. You should be in tears after reading.

Ok

Adebayor would have been great striker for the super eagles.... as long as he kept his ego in check. He even clashed with Keshi when the boss was Togo's coach

They did the right thing by ignoring Nigeria.
I'm Happy For Them.

It's their choice though but it's good to be patriotic

Pls remove Adebayo frm d list we r better off without him.. That Over rated striker

Bad Boys.... Awon omoale

Nigeria will end their career, let them remain where they are.

y

Like dey knw dey were gon cause us more harm dan gud! Abeg make dem trowey joor wyl d serious footballers make dere cool cash.... Peace out!

They went for the best