NEW Super Eagles invitee Nathan Tella is pleased to have fulfilled a long-held dream of being given a shot at international football.
The 24-year-old has been called up for the first time by Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe next week.
Tella was born in England to Nigerian parents and is eligible for both countries. He has now been given an opportunity by the country of his parents.
“It’s always been about representing Nigeria,” Tella told BBC Sport Africa in a piece published yesterday.
“My family will be over the moon to watch me fulfil that dream.”
Tella will join a long list of Nigerian players born in Europe who played for the Super Eagles including George Abbey, Reuben Agboola, Leon Balogun, Alex Iwobi and William Troost-Ekong.
He says he never lost sight of his Nigerian identity despite spending all his life in England.
“I am proud of my British and Nigerian sides and lucky to have both backgrounds,” Tella added.
“Of course we have both worlds, but ours is a proper Nigerian home [with] culture, food and tradition.”
Tella started his career at Arsenal Youth and joined Bayer Leverkusen from Southampton in August for €23m. He can play as a wide forward and in attacking midfield.
Tella, who has fellow Nigerian Victor Boniface with him at Leverkusen, has scored one goal in 10 appearances across all competitions for the German Bundesliga leaders this season.
