Chuba Akpom, Ovie Ejaria set for Nigeria call-ups?

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 30 July 2016

Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom and Liverpool midfielder Ovie Ejaria, both of whom are eligible for England, are reportedly in line for Nigeria call-ups.

Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom and Liverpool midfielder Ovie Ejaria are reportedly in line to receive call-ups to the Nigeria squad for September's AFCON qualifier against Tanzania.

Akpom, 20, has played for England's youth teams at every level from Under-16 to Under-21, but is yet to break into the Arsenal first team or enter consideration for the senior England squad.

Should he accept a call-up from Nigeria, he would be committed to representing the Super Eagles rather than the country of his birth.

Ejaria, meanwhile, joined Liverpool from Arsenal in 2014 and has featured regularly for the club during this summer's pre-season.

However, he is yet to make a competitive appearance for the Reds, so could make his international debut before turning out at senior club level for the first time.

"Akpom and Ejaria will no doubt be in the team for the Tanzania game, Yusuf has already confirmed he will call them up if they are willing to commit to Nigeria," a source told Owngoalnigeria, according to the Liverpool Echo.

"Akpom according to the NFF has indicated interest to play for Nigeria but Ejaria we are yet to establish contact with him but since he trained with the Under-17 in 2013, we are confident he wants to play for Nigeria."

Ejaria's brief stint with the Nigeria Under-17 squad three years ago was brought to an end at the behest of his former club Arsenal.