Eberechi Eze Sh*cks Fans: Here’s Why He Turned Down Super Eagles – Amaju Pinnick Reveals All

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick has revealed why Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze ultimately decided against representing the Super Eagles, despite being close to committing to the national team.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Pinnick, who led the NFF from October 2014 to October 2022, oversaw a period when numerous foreign-born players pledged their allegiance to Nigeria. During his tenure, players like Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman, and Calvin Bassey committed to the Super Eagles. However, Nigeria also missed out on several top talents, including Jamal Musiala, Karim Adeyemi, Tammy Abraham, and Eze.

Eze’s connection to Nigeria goes back to March 2017, when the then-18-year-old Queens Park Rangers midfielder was pictured wearing a Super Eagles jersey during a training camp in London. He had been invited by former head coach Gernot Rohr ahead of planned friendlies against Senegal and Burkina Faso, though those matches were later canceled due to security concerns.

Pinnick explained that everything was ready for Eze’s switch, but the player and his representatives chose to delay the decision.

“Eberechi Eze came, I met his dad, and we had a long discussion; he agreed to play for Nigeria,” Pinnick told the Playzone and Dangolo Way show. “His sister, who was his manager at the time, even came to my flat, and all the documentation was in place. But they asked us to hold off, and that was it. Maybe the elections came, I left the NFF, and that’s probably why he didn’t play. I can say he loved Nigeria—I’ve gone through my messages with him.”

Pinnick also reflected on the challenges of persuading Ademola Lookman to join Nigeria after he initially declined twice. “Lookman was very tough. I didn’t even know his father was in Nigeria, but I was referred to him, and we played tennis together at the Ikoyi club while working on the documentation. It was difficult, but eventually we got him and many others.”

Eze later opted to represent England, making his senior debut for the Three Lions in 2023. He has since earned 16 international caps, starting in four matches.