Soccer
Micah Olabiyi of Wycombe Wanderers. Copyright: xTomxPearsonxIMAGO
Nigeria Super Eagles’ battle with England for dual-nationality footballers may have taken another positive turn regarding highly-rated teenager Micah Olabiyi, Soccernet.ng reports.
Young Olabiyi has admitted that his recent experience with the Super Eagles has made him think seriously about representing Nigeria in the future.
The 16-year-old attacker was invited by Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to train with the senior national team during the Unity Cup 2026 tournament held in London. The move was part of Nigeria’s effort to identify talented young players early and introduce them to the Super Eagles environment before they make a final international decision. Nigeria won the Unity Cup, beating Jamaica ruthlessly in the final.
Olabiyi, who currently plays for Wycombe Wanderers’ academy in England, was given the chance to train alongside established Super Eagles stars ahead of Nigeria’s matches in the Unity Cup. The training sessions were held in London, including preparations for games at The Valley stadium.
The invitation has proven to be a significant moment for the former Tottenham schoolboy. It allowed him to see how the national team operates while also strengthening his connection with his Nigerian roots.
Speaking to Nigerian journalist Shina Oludare, Olabiyi admitted that the experience had a major impact on him.
“I’m fully aware that I have a choice to make,” Olabiyi confessed. “England is my birthplace, it’s where I grew up, and I love this country too. That’s not something I take lightly. But that Nigeria invitation gave me a sense of identity and connection that I hadn’t fully appreciated before. Seeing how proud my family was, especially my grandfather, really stuck with me, and it makes me lean more towards Nigeria.”
Soccer Super Eagles: Nigeria’s long battle with England
Nigeria and England have spent decades competing for some of the best football talents born to Nigerian families in the United Kingdom. While Nigeria has successfully convinced several stars to represent the Super Eagles, it has also lost many high-profile names to England.
Among the most notable players who chose England are Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka and playmaker Eberechi Eze, former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori, former Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli, Ross Barkley, Dominic Solanke, Gabriel Agbonlahor, John Fashanu, Carlton Cole and the late Ugo Ehiogu.
Many of those players were heavily monitored by the Nigeria Football Federation, but eventually committed their international futures to the Three Lions.
However, Nigeria has also recorded important victories in this recruitment battle. 2024 African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman represented England at youth level and even won the FIFA U-20 World Cup before switching allegiance to Nigeria. Alex Iwobi also played for England’s youth teams before making his senior debut for the Super Eagles in 2015.
Defender Ola Aina followed a similar path after representing England up to U-20 level. Victor Moses left England’s youth setup to play for Nigeria and later became a key member of the squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
Other notable players who chose Nigeria include Calvin Bassey, Shola Ameobi, Semi Ajayi, Joe Aribo and Josh Maja.
Now, Micah Olabiyi could become the latest name on that list. The talented winger has already shown remarkable progress at club level. At just 16 years and 40 days old, he became the second-youngest player ever to make his debut for Wycombe Wanderers.
He also announced himself during the 2025-26 EFL League One season when he scored a dramatic 90th-minute goal against Rotherham United.
Imhonlamhen
Imhonlamhen is a football writer and editor at Soccernet.ng with over six years’ experience shaping its editorial voice. A lifelong Arsenal and Super Eagles fan, he combines engineering precision with training in journalism and digital media. He has covered four AFCONs and two Women’s AFCON tournaments, specialising in Super Eagles history and tracking Nigerian players worldwide, while keeping a close eye on the NPFL and emerging homegrown talents.
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