Samuel Omorodion’s Olympic Call-Up: A Setback for Nigeria

Nigeria has faced another significant setback as Samuel Omorodion, the promising Atlético Madrid striker currently on loan at Deportivo Alavés, has been selected to represent Spain at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Omorodion, who has Nigerian roots, has had an impressive season in La Liga, scoring nine goals in 35 appearances. His selection by Spain’s national team coach Santi Denia underscores his rising profile and potential impact on the international stage.

“Samuel’s inclusion is a testament to his hard work and talent. We believe he can be an asset for us in Paris,” Denia stated.

This situation is not unique. There is a growing trend of Nigerian-eligible players choosing to represent other nations, much to the disappointment of Nigerian football fans and officials.

Recently, Crystal Palace midfielder Michael Olise chose to play for France instead of Nigeria. Notable names include Bukayo Saka, who represents England; David Alaba, who plays for Austria; and Tammy Abraham, who chose England over Nigeria.

These players often cite better football infrastructure, career prospects, and emotional ties to the countries of their birth as reasons for their choices.

This trend is concerning for Nigeria, which has a rich history of producing world-class football talent. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has been urged to improve its scouting and development programs to retain top talents.

Real Madrid’s David Alaba, for example, mentioned that there was no formal approach from Nigeria, which influenced his decision to play for Austria.

As the Paris 2024 Olympics approach, starting on July 26, all eyes will be on Omorodion and how he performs for Spain.

For Nigeria, the challenge remains to provide compelling reasons for their diaspora talent to don the Super Eagles jersey.