Saka on why he picked England over Nigeria

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Mar 08, 2021. 14:00

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has further explained why he opted to represent England over Nigeria at international level.

The 19-year-old is one of the brightest prospects in the English Premier League and has become a key man for the Gunners despite his youth.

The son of Nigerian immigrants, London-born Saka was eligible to represent the Super Eagles and the subject of interest from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

However, he committed his international future the country of his birth and made his Three Lions debut in a 3-0 win over Wales in October 2020.

Saka has since explained to Own Goal Nigeria that he could not turn his back on England, the country which nurtured his playing career, despite a strong familial draw to Nigeria.

“Choosing Nigeria over England would be a tough decision,” Saka admitted. “My whole family has been in England like forever, it would be very strange for me to adapt to an environment that I had never been in since growing up.

“When I grew up all my documents stated that I am English, hopefully Nigerian people will understand.

“It’s like when you lived with your step father since a young age then your biological father appears when you are already brought up by your step father and invested everything in your life, you cannot just say I am going to my biological father who was never there for you.”

Saka will hope to finish the 2020-21 season strongly with Arsenal and then feature for England in the European Championships.