NFF task Iwobi with wooing English players with dual nationality as it steps up the pursuit of Ebere

NIGERIAN Football Federation (NFF) officials have renewed their efforts to secure the services of Crystal palace playmaker Ebere Eze asking Everton's Alex Iwobi to provide them with updates on the midfielders' form.

Ebere, 22, has been the subject of an ongoing tug of war between Nigeria and England, with both nations desperately fighting for the services of the mercurial playmaker. Having already played for the England U21 team competitively, Ebere will need to undergo a switch through Fifa before he is eligible to feature for Nigeria's Super Eagles.

Already, NFF president Amaju Pinnick has met with Ebere in London in an attempt to woo him and Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has made it clear he fancies the player. England, however, have restricted Ebere to playing for the U21 side so far and sensing that he may be getting frustrated, the NFF have stepped up its pursuit of the midfielder.

NFF officials have tasked Iwobi with helping to secure the services of Ebere and that of Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo, who is currently out on loan to Cardiff City. Ojo shares the same Nigerian agent as Joe Aribo, Josh Maja, Iwobi and Ola Aina, so the NFF have easy access to him.

Iwobi said: "Recently they get to ask me about so many players in England and I feel like the scouting now has improved with Nigerian players based in England. I have been asked couple of questions, for example about Ebere Eze, Sheyi Ojo, about so many other players they are looking to get in, so I feel like it is improving."

Mr Rohr has missed out on the services of Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham but he is hoping to convince other players with dual nationality to pledge their allegiance to the Super Eagles. For instance, Reading playmaker Michael Olise was invited for last month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Republic of Benin and Lesotho but could not feature because his clearance was yet to come through from Fifa.