A top official of the Nigeria Football Federation has replied comments made by coach of Roma Jose Mourinho to striker Tammy Abraham over his international future..
Abraham turned down the chance to play for Nigeria insisting on continuing his international career at senior level with England where he has six caps. The last of which came in 2020 in the 4-0 win over Iceland.
Mourinho who signed the striker permanently for Roma believe he should be open to switching allegiance to Nigeria if his form fail to get the attention of head coach of the English team Gareth Southgate. “I am trying to create a monster of a forward for Southgate.
“Unless he doesn’t have proper eyes. Then I would suggest Tammy Abraham switch countries. He deserves more caps under his name”, he was quoted to have said.
However, he has played three friendlies and three competitive game for England, the last of which came when he was already above 21 making a switch to Nigeria almost impossible despite the amendment to the rule on players switching nationality.
” We can only wish Tammy Abraham all the best but when it comes to playing for Nigeria, it is impossible because of his involvement with England. It will be a career mistake if in the long run he want to play for Nigeria because he had the chance but choose the difficult path of representing England. There’s no going back base on the rule”, a chieftain of the NFF told OwnGoalNigeria.com.