How My Father Influenced My Decision to Play for Nigeria or England — Saka

Newsflash Nigeria StaffJune 5, 2023

1 minute read

Arsenal and England sensation Bukayo Saka has revealed that he was very close to playing for Nigeria before he opted for England.

The 21-year-old winger, who is currently in Lagos for his holidays, said he felt very much Nigerian and that it was his father’s wish for him to play for the Super Eagles.

Saka, who was born and raised in England, has Nigerian parents and is eligible to play for both countries. He said he had an opportunity to play for one of the Nigerian youth teams in 2019 but things did not work out.

He made this disclosure during his visit to one of the orphanages he supported in Lagos. He was asked by a staff of the organization why he decided to pick the English national team ahead of the senior national team of Nigeria.

‘I will tell you this. I was very close to playing for one of the youth teams in 2019. It was the wish of my father but things happen and you have to live with your decisions. I feel very much Nigerian and nothing can change that,’ he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

Saka has been enjoying his time in Nigeria’s commercial capital and has also visited other orphanages and charity organizations to give support.

He is also expected to meet with the newly sworn in president of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja before the end of his holiday in Nigeria.

‘A visit to the president is on their list but I don’t know if it will be possible. He looks quite a lovely lad and shy. At the orphanage we couldn’t believe who was next to us. So humble and down to earth’, a staff of the orphanage home stated.

Saka made his debut for England in October 2020 and has since become a regular member of the squad. He played a key role in England’s run to the final of Euro 2020, where they lost to Italy on penalties.

He also won the hearts of many Nigerians with his impressive performances and his humility. He recently won the PFA Young Player of the Year award and was named in the PFA Team of the Year.