NFF wait for Adarabioyo to act on his recent hint that he is prepared to play for Nigeria

NIGERIAN Football Federation (NFF officials have told Chelsea centreback Tosin Adarabioyo to do the needful and submit his switch of nationality application to Fifa if he is serious about playing for the Super Eagles.

Last month, Adarabioyo, 27, indicated that he may finally be willing to switch his international allegiance at senior level to Nigeria. Born in England to Nigerian parents, the central defender who joined Chelsea from fellow west London side Fulham at the end of last season, has featured for England youth teams, so if he wants to play for Nigeria at senior level needs to go through a switch with Fifa.

He is eligible to play for both England and Nigeria but so far has shunned advances from the NFF to feature for the Super Eagles, holding out for an invitation to the Three Lions. It appears that it has now dawned on the defender that his only chance of senior international football is with Nigeria and according to Team Nigeria UK spokesman David Doherty, Adarabioyo is set to commit his international future to Nigeria.

Last week, Austin Eguavoen, the interim Super Eagles manager, unveiled the squad that will represent Nigeria in the upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifier matches against Libya. The first match will take place in Uyo on October 11, followed by a return leg in Benghazi on October 15.

Eguavoen called up seven defenders for the games, including William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi. However, Tosin was notably absent which raised eyebrows given his recent hint and the relatively advanced age of the current crop of centrebacks.

In response, the NFF have made it clear that Adarabioyo is aware of what he needs to do to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria. It appears that he is yet to ask the federation to submit an application to Fifa in his behalf.

An NF spokesman said: "Jose Peseiro travelled to meet with him in the UK last year to speak to him about playing for Nigeria but he told the coach at that time that he was not ready.  If he wants to make the switch now he knows what to do."

Tosin has not figured for England's national teams for close to nine years, with his last appearance for the Young Lions coming against Japan youth team on November 15, 2015. Adarabioyo is known for his composed style of play, aerial strength and ability to play the ball out from the back and his inclusion in the Super Eagles could bring a new dynamic to the Nigerian defence.