Chelsea youngster Ezenwata accepts NFF invitation choosing Nigeria over England and Cameroon

CHELSEA youth striker Chizaram Ezenwata has lifted the spirits of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) by accepting an invitation from head coach Aliyu Zubairu to switch his allegiance from England and feature for Nigeria's U21 team.

Ezenwata, 16, popularly known as Chizzy, who is looking to sign a professional contract with Chelsea once he turns 17, is eligible to play for England, Nigeria and Cameroon. A prolific striker thought to have a lot of potential, Chizzy was born in London in 2008 to former Gombe United star Ndubuisi Ezenwata  and a Cameroonian mother.

Of late, the English Football Association had been leading the race to get the talented forward, who has already made four appearances for the Young Lions at U17 level, scoring twice on his competitive debut against Malta in a European Championship qualifier in October 2024.  However, the NFF have succeeded in securing his services and Chizzy will now report to the Flying Eagles camp later this month.

Barring any last-minute changes, the Chelsea teenage sensation will link up with the Flying Eagles at their training camp in Abuja where coach Zubairu will assess him for potential inclusion in the World Cup squad.  Zubairu and NFF scouts have been actively searching for a proven finisher following the team's lack of goals at the recent Wafu B U20 Boys Cup.

Ezenwata is not the only high-profile dual-national forward to answer Nigeria's call, with River Plate youth team striker Jonathan Spiff Asuzu also set to train with the squad. On May 29, Ezenwata visited the Super Eagles camp in West London, where he was warmly welcomed by head coach Eric Chelle and the players.

Discussions during the visit touched on his potential involvement with Nigeria's Flying Eagles or Olympic team. Now, this dream has materialised as the NFF have invited him to camp with a view to capping the striker.