'He Only Knows England As His Home' - Nigeria Scout On Saka Choosing Three Lions Over Eagles

Super Eagles chief scout Tunde Adelakun has claimed that he wasn't disappointed that Arsenal super kid Bukayo Saka opted to pledge his international future to his country of birth England despite being approached by the Nigerian Federation to represent the Super Eagles.

The Hale End Academy product could become cap-tied to England as early as Sunday when Gareth Southgate's team face Belgium in a UEFA Nations League match at Wembley.

Adelakun is appealing to Nigerians not to attack the Arsenal rising star on social media, adding that the versatile winger could decide to represent Nigeria in future if the FIFA rules on eligibility are modified.

"I wasn't disappointed at all and I am going to use this medium to tell Nigerians not to be disappointed, let us be happy for him, he was born in England, he only knows England as his home," Adelakun said to ESPN's Colin Udoh, when asked if he was disappointed Saka picked England over Nigeria.

"Okay he understands his heritage and he can never forget the Nigerian heritage and he'll never forget it, it's the same with Anthony Joshua, Joshua boxed for Great Britain in the Olympic Games in 2012, it didn't take him away from the fact that he's Nigerian, he still eats jollof rice prepared by his mum at home.

"It's very important for us not to burn bridges with this boy because there is still a long way to go. Two, don't forget that he might still come and play for Nigeria.

"I am happy for him because his hard work has been rewarded in the constituency where he's known, we have not invested a single penny in his football career, so what makes us feel entitled for him to come to us.

"We have got to accept it, if he comes it's a bonus, if he doesn't we will wait for him he will come at some point because he remembers he's a Nigerian."

London-born Saka represented England's U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 national teams before receiving his maiden call-up to the Three Lions.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com

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