Okonkwo open to switching nationality from England to Nigeria

[The YeyeMan]

I've since read he's agreed to switch.

---

Arsenal youngster is contemplating switiching his nationality from England to Nigeria after he was approached by the NFF.

by Nsidibe Akpan
January 3, 2024

Arsenal goalkeeper, Arthur Okonkwo, is reportedly considering a change in his international allegiance from England to Nigeria. Despite showcasing promise at the U18 level for England, Okonkwo is eyeing the Super Eagles due to a lack of opportunities with the English national team.

At 22 years old, Okonkwo had aspired to represent the Three Lions of England but hasn’t seen that ambition materialise. With Nigeria facing challenges in their goalkeeper department following Vincent Enyeama’s retirement in 2015, Okonkwo sees an opening and is ready to explore the chance to play for Nigeria, especially with the Nigerian Portuguese head coach, Jose Peseiro showing interest in the potential switch.

The Super Eagles have struggled with goalkeeper stability since Enyeama’s departure, and the current options—Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabili, and Ojo Olorunleke—have not gained the full trust of Nigerian fans. Okonkwo’s potential inclusion could have offered a solution, but the discussions to finalise the arrangement are ongoing.

Currently on loan at Wrexham, competing in League Two, Okonkwo’s performances have been notable. Impressions from his previous loan spells at Crewe Alexandra and Sturm Graz have contributed to his development, prompting interest from Nigeria’s national team setup.

Despite a strong performance trajectory in senior football, Okonkwo’s international chances with England have dwindled. His last involvement with the England U18s was over four years ago, signaling a potential shift in his international allegiance.

Reports indicate that Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro reached out to Arthur Okonkwo in October 2023, and was hoping to have him for the AFCON, but has now settled for South African-based goalkeeper, Nwabili.

The young goalkeeper has expressed his willingness to consider representing Nigeria, and discussions between the parties are ongoing.

His remarkable performances have not gone unnoticed, earning him recognition as the most valuable player in the EFL League Two, according to Transfermarkt. His loan spells and consistent displays, tallying 52 appearances and 20 clean sheets, have significantly elevated his profile.

https://www.nowarsenal.com/latest-news/ ... o-nigeria/

[TonyTheTigerKiller]

I don’t see why a switch would be required since he has never played for the England senior team


Cheers.

[EMIR KONGI JAFFI JOFFA]

Considering? Gtfoh! So the boy already turned Pesseiro down in October, he would likely be No 1 for SE at Afcon if he had accepted. Now he’s stuck at Wrexham with England looking far far away. I don’t know if we should call players who think they’re doing us a favor anymore. We have Okoye at Udinese playing as No 1, Ojehire at Arsenal who already came out to pledge his allegiance to Nigeria without condition and is better than Okonkwo and we still have Nwabili and Uzoho who could still pan out. I say let him wait until the WCQ are over before we even think about him.

[niyi]

I don’t see why a switch would be required since he has never played for the England senior team


Cheers.

[Odas]

I don’t see why a switch would be required since he has never played for the England senior team

Cheers.

TTTK, though I am not sure what the 'switching rule' is, but don't you think some signatures must be put on some papers to make the switching official?

[Odas]

Considering? Gtfoh! So the boy already turned Pesseiro down in October, he would likely be No 1 for SE at Afcon if he had accepted. Now he’s stuck at Wrexham with England looking far far away. I don’t know if we should call players who think they’re doing us a favor anymore. We have Okoye at Udinese playing as No 1, Ojehire at Arsenal who already came out to pledge his allegiance to Nigeria without condition and is better than Okonkwo and we still have Nwabili and Uzoho who could still pan out. I say let him wait until the WCQ are over before we even think about him.

Oh, the young man [Okonkwo] has already turned us down before? If so, he shouldn't be given a second chance at all. He needs to keep waiting for the England's chance.

[pindal123]

if it’s true that he already turned down Super Eagles, he can keep waiting England call up for the rest of his career.

[packerland]

To be fair, he turned us down when he was trying to sort his career. I believe they was a season he served as Arsenal’s #3 and made the match day squad before going out on loan. With that said, we should make him wait for a while to see how committed he is.

[Synopsis]

To be fair, he turned us down when he was trying to sort his career. I believe they was a season he served as Arsenal’s #3 and made the match day squad before going out on loan. With that said, we should make him wait for a while to see how committed he is.

No time to waste. We need to go for him while he’s still developing.

[packerland]

To be fair, he turned us down when he was trying to sort his career. I believe they was a season he served as Arsenal’s #3 and made the match day squad before going out on loan. With that said, we should make him wait for a while to see how committed he is.

No time to waste. We need to go for him while he’s still developing.

I don’t mind making him wait but we should get him ASAP one he leaves my Arsenal. Look at all the Arsenal goal keepers that have performed elsewhere: Martinez, Leno, Fabianski, Manone, Ospina

[TonyTheTigerKiller]

I don’t see why a switch would be required since he has never played for the England senior team

Cheers.

TTTK, though I am not sure what the 'switching rule' is, but don't you think some signatures must be put on some papers to make the switching official?

If he has never played for the senior team of any other country then no switching is required


Cheers.

[maceo4]

I don’t see why a switch would be required since he has never played for the England senior team

Cheers.

TTTK, though I am not sure what the 'switching rule' is, but don't you think some signatures must be put on some papers to make the switching official?

If he has never played for the senior team of any other country then no switching is required


Cheers.

Not quite bro, look it up…

[truetalk]

I think he is by far the best GK available to Nigeria at the moment.

Much better than Okoye. Uzoho has not been a national team level GK for 5 years so should not even be in the conversation.

Okonkwo's invitation at the moment will attract deserved criticism though.

He has accepted to be part of Ryan Reynold's hollywood jamboree at Wrexham and while the media buzz has been good for Reynolds and Wrexham, it is the fourth division for crying out loud.

If Okokwo does not leave in the Summer (he can get a club in Spain or Portugal. Kunle Soname can hire him as a last resort), then I have no problem if he gets overlooked by the SE admin, for the moment.

[danfo driver]

So we have 3 prospects:

1. one is STARTING in the German FIRST DIVISION
2. one is STARTING in the Italian FIRST DIVISION
3. one is STARTING in the Norwegian FIRST DIVISION

And yet, Nigerians on CE are contemplating how a DIVISION 4 player will be our first choice goalkeeper. You guys are clearly unwell. There is absolutely no other explanation for your deep attraction to lower division players, than the fact that you guys are clearly sick in the head. Tueh!

[ohenhen1]

He should play for the U23 team.

[danfo driver]

He should play for the U23 team.

No, he should move to Div 1.

[Agbako]

So we have 3 prospects:

1. one is STARTING in the German FIRST DIVISION
2. one is STARTING in the Italian FIRST DIVISION
3. one is STARTING in the Norwegian FIRST DIVISION

And yet, Nigerians on CE are contemplating how a DIVISION 4 player will be our first choice goalkeeper. You guys are clearly unwell. There is absolutely no other explanation for your deep attraction to lower division players, than the fact that you guys are clearly sick in the head. Tueh!

Wooooo.. Danfo Osereeee.. Osa straight.. As sick sometimes I think you are. For me apart from Prof. Kid you are too intelligent for this bunch here. God Bless yo Yanfu Yanfu... I mean it....Cheers...

[ohenhen1]

Kingdom Osayi right now is better than Okonkwo, But goalkeepers are late bloomers.

[Damunk]

Considering? Gtfoh! So the boy already turned Pesseiro down in October, he would likely be No 1 for SE at Afcon if he had accepted. Now he’s stuck at Wrexham with England looking far far away. I don’t know if we should call players who think they’re doing us a favor anymore. We have Okoye at Udinese playing as No 1, Ojehire at Arsenal who already came out to pledge his allegiance to Nigeria without condition and is better than Okonkwo and we still have Nwabili and Uzoho who could still pan out. I say let him wait until the WCQ are over before we even think about him.

Oh, the young man [Okonkwo] has already turned us down before? If so, he shouldn't be given a second chance at all. He needs to keep waiting for the England's chance.

No he hasn’t!
Looks like people are simply interpreting the language used in the report to fuel all kinds of conjecture.
He was ‘contacted’ by Peseiro Oct last year.
He has repped England at the u18 level and is therefore registered with FIFA as English.
Even though he hasn’t played for England as a full international, he will still be required to go through certain protocols.
And even though he didn’t jump with a “Yes!”, you can’t expect him not to take his time, consult his family, his peers and his mentors to reach the right decision.

Why we dey rush the guy?
He’s a kid!
I know the kind of things I rushed into at 22 without fully weighing the consequences. We all do.

[Damunk]

I think he is by far the best GK available to Nigeria at the moment.

Much better than Okoye. Uzoho has not been a national team level GK for 5 years so should not even be in the conversation.

Okonkwo's invitation at the moment will attract deserved criticism though.

How did you figure that one out?
Based on….?

[Chief Ogbunigwe]

I've since read he's agreed to switch.

---

Arsenal youngster is contemplating switiching his nationality from England to Nigeria after he was approached by the NFF.

by Nsidibe Akpan
January 3, 2024

Arsenal goalkeeper, Arthur Okonkwo, is reportedly considering a change in his international allegiance from England to Nigeria. Despite showcasing promise at the U18 level for England, Okonkwo is eyeing the Super Eagles due to a lack of opportunities with the English national team.

At 22 years old, Okonkwo had aspired to represent the Three Lions of England but hasn’t seen that ambition materialise. With Nigeria facing challenges in their goalkeeper department following Vincent Enyeama’s retirement in 2015, Okonkwo sees an opening and is ready to explore the chance to play for Nigeria, especially with the Nigerian Portuguese head coach, Jose Peseiro showing interest in the potential switch.

The Super Eagles have struggled with goalkeeper stability since Enyeama’s departure, and the current options—Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabili, and Ojo Olorunleke—have not gained the full trust of Nigerian fans. Okonkwo’s potential inclusion could have offered a solution, but the discussions to finalise the arrangement are ongoing.

Currently on loan at Wrexham, competing in League Two, Okonkwo’s performances have been notable. Impressions from his previous loan spells at Crewe Alexandra and Sturm Graz have contributed to his development, prompting interest from Nigeria’s national team setup.

Despite a strong performance trajectory in senior football, Okonkwo’s international chances with England have dwindled. His last involvement with the England U18s was over four years ago, signaling a potential shift in his international allegiance.

Reports indicate that Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro reached out to Arthur Okonkwo in October 2023, and was hoping to have him for the AFCON, but has now settled for South African-based goalkeeper, Nwabili.

The young goalkeeper has expressed his willingness to consider representing Nigeria, and discussions between the parties are ongoing.

His remarkable performances have not gone unnoticed, earning him recognition as the most valuable player in the EFL League Two, according to Transfermarkt. His loan spells and consistent displays, tallying 52 appearances and 20 clean sheets, have significantly elevated his profile.

https://www.nowarsenal.com/latest-news/ ... o-nigeria/

You are still Yeyeman in 2024? Happy New Year bro

[niyi]

So we have 3 prospects:

1. one is STARTING in the German FIRST DIVISION
2. one is STARTING in the Italian FIRST DIVISION
3. one is STARTING in the Norwegian FIRST DIVISION

And yet, Nigerians on CE are contemplating how a DIVISION 4 player will be our first choice goalkeeper. You guys are clearly unwell. There is absolutely no other explanation for your deep attraction to lower division players, than the fact that you guys are clearly sick in the head. Tueh!

I really wonder how much they’re paying him to play in the 4th division. He could have gotten a team in a top 6 league after his loan with LASK or even moved to the English championship but chose to join Wrexham.

His motivations are either funny or his agents are very convincing.

[maceo4]

So we have 3 prospects:

1. one is STARTING in the German FIRST DIVISION
2. one is STARTING in the Italian FIRST DIVISION
3. one is STARTING in the Norwegian FIRST DIVISION

And yet, Nigerians on CE are contemplating how a DIVISION 4 player will be our first choice goalkeeper. You guys are clearly unwell. There is absolutely no other explanation for your deep attraction to lower division players, than the fact that you guys are clearly sick in the head. Tueh!

I really wonder how much they’re paying him to play in the 4th division. He could have gotten a team in a top 6 league after his loan with LASK or even moved to the English championship but chose to join Wrexham.

His motivations are either funny or his agents are very convincing.

…..or….not good enough?