Why the Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu Super Eagles switch rumours are not true

SportsRation can confirm that the recent rumours suggesting a potential switch to Nigeria for Chelsea midfielders Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu are false. The reports were fueled by speculation after the visit of new Super Eagles head coach, José Chelle, to the UK. However, an official close to the Super Eagles has cleared up the confusion, dismissing the stories as baseless.

Sources close to the Super Eagles camp, speaking on condition of anonymity, informed SportsRations’ Nsikakabasi Akpan that no formal process has been initiated by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to secure the duo’s allegiance for the national team.

The official noted that while both players are eligible to represent Nigeria—Chukwuemeka through his Nigerian heritage and Ugochukwu via his Nigerian parentage—the pair have not taken any official steps to switch from their current national teams, England and France, respectively.

The official’s clarification: “The rumours circulating about Chukwuemeka and Ugochukwu are not true,” the source stated. “There is no process in place for their switch at the moment. While both players are certainly talented and have the potential to contribute to the Super Eagles, the current focus is on the players who are already eligible for the team. The new coach is focused on making the best squad with the players who are already part of the system. We won’t close the door on anyone, but as of now, there’s no formal action regarding a switch for these players.”