Ilenikhena poised for Nigeria switch

Striker George Ilenikhena, currently playing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, has reportedly pledged his international allegiance to Nigeria. This decision follows discussions with Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, who has been monitoring the highly-rated 19-year-old forward for nearly a year.

Ilenikhena was reportedly omitted from the Super Eagles squad during the March international window as he was still considering representing France. However, reports suggest he has now agreed to play for Nigeria. Born in Lagos before relocating to France as a child, Ilenikhena is eligible to represent both nations. Crucially, he has not played for France in any official senior or youth international matches, meaning he can switch his allegiance without requiring a one-time nationality switch.

While he may initially feature for Nigeria's U-23 team, his commitment is seen as a significant boost for Coach Chelle. The coach is currently assembling a squad for the U-23 team in preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and is also looking to strengthen the attacking options for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Ilenikhena's potential inclusion provides the Super Eagles with another exciting young attacking option, complementing established players like Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface. Earlier this year, while playing for Monaco, Ilenikhena made UEFA Champions League history by becoming the youngest African player to reach 15 appearances in the competition, surpassing the record previously held by former Nigeria captain Nwankwo Kanu.