The Royal Spanish Football Federation has achieved remarkable international success by securing the highly sought-after FC Porto striker, Samu Aghehowa.
Aghehowa, who possesses dual nationality, is no longer eligible to play for the Super Eagles after making a cap-tying appearance for Spain earlier this month.
The 21-year-old came off the bench during the final moments of Spain’s thrilling 5-4 victory over France in the UEFA Nations League semifinal on June 5, effectively binding his international future to the reigning European champions.
Before that match, which marked his second senior cap, Aghehowa was still eligible for the Super Eagles, having made his debut in a Nations League match against Switzerland in November 2024 while still classified as a U21 player.
The call-up for Spain’s fixtures in June followed a breakout season at the club level, where Aghehowa established himself as one of the most exciting young forwards in European football.
He scored 25 goals across all competitions in his debut season with the Portuguese giants Porto, drawing attention from national selectors and top European clubs alike.
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The Nigeria Football Federation was actively pursuing a serious effort to persuade the striker to switch his allegiance, relying on his heritage — as Aghehowa’s parents are from Edo State — and the influence of NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen, a former Super Eagles captain and 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner from the same state.
Despite Eguavoen’s connection with the Aghehowa family, the NFF ultimately could not persuade the forward to commit to the Nigerian national team.
With Aghehowa now unattainable, Nigeria’s recruitment efforts are expected to turn towards another dual-national forward eligible for Spain, Edna Imade.
The Granada forward is garnering interest from both the NFF and the Royal Spanish Football Federation, setting the stage for yet another competition between the two nations.
The Nigeria Football Federation has already reached out to Imade regarding the possibility of representing the national team.
