NFF wants Solanke before Cameroon clash

The Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), has revealed its intention to have Reading FC striker Dominic Solanke, who has played for the U16- U21 national teams of England complete his nationality switch to Nigeria in readiness of the Super Eagles FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in August.

The Nigeria federation officials are keenly monitoring the situation of the 19-year-old striker with a view to persuading him to switch his allegiance to Nigeria ahead of England. The Super Eagles are odds on to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after a strong start to the qualifying campaign.

The Eagles are currently top of their group having won their first two matches of the campaign. Cameroon the Africa champions, who are Eagles’ next opponents, have two points with only four more games left to play in the qualifying series.

Despite his exploits for Chelsea’s youth team, he has not been able to break into the first team which has led to speculations he could leave Stamford Bridge in the summer, especially as he will be a free agent by then.

Chelsea’s rival Arsenal are said to be interested in signing the highly-rated teenager as well as Liverpool, Sunderland, West Ham and Bayern Munich. In a related development, the NFF have also started the process to ensure that Lateef Omidiji Jnr plays for the Super Eagles and not the United States.

Omidiji was born in America but came through the youth ranks at Sparta Rotterdam and it was from there that Arsenal signed him. Due to his age, Omidiji will remain in the Netherlands, but will travel to London a few times a year to train with his new club.

“The Nigerian Football Federation are fighting to keep him with Nigerian Football instead of US Soccer in anticipation of the 2019 U17 World Cup,” a source told allnigeriasoccer.com.

“Through intermediaries in Holland, we know the NFF are fighting hard to grab him back from US Soccer although I think it’ll be difficult.’’ Nigeria are already talking about having the kid play in their qualifiers for the U17 World Cup which start next year.