GAANT Football focuses Nigerian football players who were born outside the borders of Nigeria but are competing in the German Bundesliga. These players, despite their foreign birth and participation in one of Europe’s top football leagues, remain eligible to represent Nigeria at the international level. The initiative aims to highlight their potential contribution to Nigerian football.

Noah Atubolu

Noah Atubolu is a talented young goalkeeper who currently plays for SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga. As the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, he has established himself as a reliable presence between the posts, showcasing excellent reflexes, composure under pressure, and strong shot-stopping abilities. Atubolu is also a key figure in Germany’s national setup, representing the country as the first-choice goalkeeper for the Germany Under-21 team. His performances at both the club and international levels highlight his potential to become one of the leading goalkeepers of his generation.

Justin Njinmah

Justin Njinmah is a professional footballer currently playing as a forward for Werder Bremen, a prominent club in the German Bundesliga. At 24 years old, Njinmah is recognized for his skill and potential on the pitch. Notably, he has not represented Germany at any level in international football, whether in youth or senior competitions. This means that no formal clearance or transfer of eligibility would be required for him to play for Nigeria, should he choose to represent the country in international competitions. This provides a seamless pathway for him to join the Super Eagles.

Moritz Jenz
Moritz Jenz is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for FSV Mainz 05, a club in the German Bundesliga. Born on April 30, 1999, he is 25 years old and is currently on loan from VfL Wolfsburg. Jenz has shown promise as a solid and versatile defender, earning recognition in one of Europe’s top football leagues. Despite being eligible to represent Germany, he has not played for the country at any youth or senior level.

This lack of international representation means he does not require any special international clearance to switch allegiances and play for the Nigerian national team if called upon. Similar to Justin Njinmah, another player with dual eligibility, Jenz’s situation provides Nigeria with an opportunity to bolster their squad with a capable and experienced defender who is immediately available to represent the Super Eagles.

Felix Agu

Felix Agu is a talented 25-year-old footballer who operates primarily as a defender and is currently plying his trade with Werder Bremen, a club competing in the top tier of German football, the Bundesliga. Agu’s abilities on the field have garnered attention, and his versatility and defensive skills have made him a key asset for his team.

Unlike his clubmate Justin Njinmah, Felix Agu has already represented Germany at the Under-21 level, showcasing his talent on the international stage.

Nnamdi Collins

Nnamdi Collins, born on January 10, 2004, is a promising young footballer who plays as a defender for Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga. Known for his strong defensive abilities, Collins has been making waves in European football with his performances. At just 20 years old, he has already represented Germany at the under-21 level.

Because of his involvement with Germany’s youth national teams, Collins does require international clearance to represent Nigeria should he choose to switch his international allegiance. This is because he has not yet played for Germany’s senior national team in any official competitive matches, leaving him eligible to represent Nigeria under FIFA’s eligibility rules.

Oladapo Afolayan

Oladapo Afolayan, commonly referred to as “Dapo,” is a talented 27-year-old professional footballer who primarily plays as a winger. He currently represents FC St. Pauli, a club competing in the German Bundesliga, known for its passionate fanbase and strong cultural identity. Afolayan’s playing style is characterized by his pace, dribbling ability, and versatility on the field, which allows him to contribute both offensively and defensively.

Although born in England, Afolayan has not represented the country at any level in international football. This lack of prior appearances for England means he is eligible to play for Nigeria without requiring any additional international clearance. As a result, Afolayan has the opportunity to bring his skills and experience to the Nigerian national team should he choose to accept an invitation from the Nigeria Football Federation. His eligibility to play for Nigeria aligns with FIFA’s eligibility rules, as he has not been capped by another nation in competitive matches.

This eligibility could make Afolayan a valuable asset for Nigeria, given his experience in European football and the technical abilities he has honed while playing in a competitive league like the Bundesliga.