Sports: Football

 

Italy is my first choice, Nigeria is the alternative – Atalanta-owned defender

The youngster is eligible for two countries, but he has revealed where his allegiances lie

Super Eagles-eligible defender Caleb Okoli has revealed that he will only play for Nigeria if he does not get called up to the Italian national team,

The youngster is eligible for two countries, but he has revealed where his allegiances lie

Super Eagles-eligible defender Caleb Okoli has revealed that he will only play for Nigeria if he does not get called up to the Italian national team, Soccernet reports.

Okoli burst onto the scene two seasons ago. He started from the Atalanta academy and started playing senior team football after a loan transfer to Serie B side SPAL. Then, after a year, he joined Cremonese.

The 22-year-old midfielder spent last season at Atalanta and made 17 appearances for the club. Okoli did not impress much, and this summer, La Dea sent him out on another loan deal to newly-promoted Frosinone. However, he is yet to play a competitive game for the club.

The youngster is yet to sort out his club career, but questions over his international career have already been raised. The 22-year-old centre-back was born in Italy to Nigerian parents. As such, he is eligible to represent both countries.

Okoli has spoken about his plans, and he has revealed that for him, representing Italy would be exciting. But if that does not work out, he could play for Nigeria.

“I think I’m lucky to be able to play for two countries. I always talk to my parents about it,” Okoli said, per Napoli Magazine.

“For now, I’m thinking about playing and achieving the team goal, then the national team will be a consequence.

“I hope for a call from Spalletti and to play with the Italian national team, which is of the highest level in the future. if the call from Italy doesn’t arrive, I could make the decision on the Nigerian national team.”

Okoli is still a peripheral player, and except for a stroke of luck or an unprecedented great run of games, it would take quite some time before he gets a national team.