The Nigeria Football Federation are taking official steps to have the trio of Dominic Iorfa, Chuba Akpom and Kenneth Otigba, to represent Nigeria at October’s World Cup qualifiers.

“We have talented players at home and we’re trying to bring in other eligible players to build a formidable side,” NFF’s Ademola Olajire told BBC Sport.

“The target is not to draft in players simply because they are born in Europe or playing for big clubs but for them to earn an equal right to compete for Nigeria.

“Victor Moses, Sone Aluko and Alex Iwobi are some notable names who chose Nigeria and continue to challenge for a spot in the national squad.

“A formal approach has been made to these players [Akpom and Iorfa] and we hope to bring in [Kenneth] Otigba once we receive a clearance from Fifa.”

Iorfa, the son of a former Nigeria international of the same name who played for several English clubs including Queens Park Rangers and Peterborough, grew up in Southend before being spotted by Wolves at the age of 15.

He has played for the England at Under-18 and Under-20 levels before he was drafted in to train with England’s full squad in September 2015 as the senior side prepared for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Switzerland.

Akpom, who is currently on loan to Hull City from Arsenal, was born in England to Nigerian parents and was first approached in 2013 by the Nigerian youth selectors.

In March 2015, Otigba rejected a call-up to Hungary’s senior side for their 2016 European qualifier against Greece, saying he would rather wait for Nigeria.

Hungary qualified for the tournament in France.




http://footballlive.ng/footballnews/9ja-news/nff-seeks-alliegance-of-iorfa-akpom-and-otigba/