Blackburn's Alebiosu submits eligibility documents as Chelle looks to replace Aina and Agu

BLACKBURN Rovers rightback Ryan Alebiosu has begun the process of acquiring international eligibility to play for Nigeria in the hope that he will become eligible for selection ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Alebiosu, 23, who currently plays in the English Championship with the Lancashire giants, has to prove that he has Nigerian ancestry to be eligible to play for Nigeria. He has now begun the process of submitting documents to Fifa that will make him eligible for selection by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

This season, Alebiosu has started every league game for Blackburn Rovers and his impressive form has led to him catching the eye. His attacking quality from right-back has drawn widespread praise and Super eagles head coach Eric Chelle is said to be considering calling him up.

Injuries in the Nigerian squad to Nottingham Forest's Ola Ania and Werder Bremen's Felix Agu has forced Mr Chelle to look for reinforcements at right back. If Alebiosu manages to complete the switch on time there is a realistic chance he could be named in Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations squad.

Born in London to Nigerian parents, Alebiosu joined Arsenal in 2010 at the age of 8, turning professional in 2020. Fifa rules stipulate that a player must have parents of grandparents born in a country to represent it and Alebiosu is now in the process of submitting documentation to that effect.

It is not yet clear if the approval will be got ahead of Nigeria's massive World Cup play-offs taking place later this month in Morocco. Nigeria's Super eagles will play Gabon in the semi-final and then face the winner of Cameroon versus Congo three days later to book a place in an inter-continental play-off holding in March.