Luton Town's Chidozie Ogbene said he considered playing for Nigeria before opting for Ireland

NIGERIAN-born Republic of Ireland striker Chiedozie Ogbene has admitted that he considered playing international football for the Super Eagles before eventually deciding to opt for the Irish.

Ogbene, 26, who plays his club football with Luton Town, is regarded as the fastest player in the English Premier League. In September, he was clocked running at 36.93km per hour in a game against Fulham to make him the fastest footballer ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Pedro Neto and Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, to Nigerian parents, Ogbene was eligible to represent the Super Eagles before pledging his international future to the Irish. In June 2021, when he made his debut for the Republic of Ireland, he became the first-ever player born in Africa to represent the Boys in Green and has gone on to make a further 18 appearances for the European nation.

Chidozie's dad, Emmanuel Ogbene relocated to Ireland with his family in 2005 when the Luton Town striker was aged eight.  According to the former Rotherham United and Brentford attacker, it was difficult for him to shut the doors on the Nigerian national team due to his heritage.

He added: "Nigeria was if, buts and maybes. It was difficult because my parents are proud Nigerians and I wanted to make them proud but they are as proud of me playing for Ireland. I went through the system in Ireland, it is my adopted home, and the opportunity was massive.

"If you want me, I want to be with you. If you give me an opportunity I will never say no. I was also given the opportunity to come to the Premier League and I didn’t want to turn it down."

Apart from Ogbene, the Football Association of Ireland have secure the services of several other players of Nigerian origin,. They include Gavin Bazunu of Southampton, Andrew Omobamidele of Nottingham Forest, Michael Obafemi of Burnley, Festy Ebosele of Udinese and Adam Idah of Norwich City.