Players of Nigerian descent who will feature at Euro 2024

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Just as the Euro 2024 tournament draws near, players are gearing up to dazzle and will hope to help their teams to glory in Germany.

The Euro 2024 is upon us and teams have rolled out their final squads for the tournament. Something that has caught our attention is the number of players possessing both African and especially Nigerian descent that will be on parade during the month-long event.

In this piece, we take a look at some of them.

ALSO READ:

• Is this time for Gareth Southgate and England’s golden generation to finally win a trophy?
• Already confirmed transfers ahead of the 2024/2025 season
• Euro 2024: Are we about to witness Cristiano Ronaldo’s last run at the top?
• OFFICIAL: Chelsea welcomes Enzo Maresca as new head coach of men’s team
• EURO 2024: Notable absentees from the upcoming tournament in Europe

6. Michael Folorunsho – Italy

The first player on this list is one that is not as popular as the others listed. Michael Folorunsho was born in Rome to Nigerian parents and was largely with Lazio’s youth team during his early career.

The 26-year-old later joined Serie C outfit Virtus Francavilla. In two seasons, he played 60 matches for the club.

Serie A giants Napoli secured his signature on a permanent basis in 2019. However, he has not been able to break into the club’s first team.

Having been loaned out to several teams across Italy, he is currently seeing out his loan time at Hellas Verona.

For Azzurri, he made his debut on 9th June, 2024 in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was brought on for Davide Frattesi in the 76th minute in Italy’s 1-0 victory.

Coach Luciano Spalletti was impressed by Folorunsho‘s performances last term and has decided to include him in Italy’s squad to the Euro 2024. It remains to be seen how much of the brilliant midfielder fans will witness in Germany.

5. Noah Okafor – Switzerland

Okafor is one of the exciting forwards in Serie A. He has proven to be key alongside the likes of Samuel Chukwueze and Rafael Leao in the AC Milan set up.

His birth name is Noah Arinzechukwu Okafor. He was born in Binningen, Switzerland to a Nigerian father and a Swiss mother.

He was a big part of the Basel youth system before breaking into the first team. His showed signs of immense promise and that attracted the interest of Red Bull (RB) Salzburg who later secured his services.

Okafor later joined Milan and continues to shine. At 24, he has a whole lot of years to prove himself for both club and country.

4. Bukayo Saka – England

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has been one of the most consistent and outstanding wingers in Europe in the past seasons. His performances for club and the Three Lions have been nothing short of commendable.

Born Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka to Yoruba Nigerian parents – Adenike and Yomi Saka – in London, the player is set for his second European Championship.

The 22-year-old was part of England’s squads for UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Saka also won the England Player of the Year award in 2022 and 2023.

Saka, as he has always been, will once again be an instrumental part of Gareth Southgate’s contingent at Euro 2024.

3. Manuel Akanji – Switzerland

Akanji is a top class defender who plies his trade in England with reigning champions Manchester City.

He was born in Neftenbach, Switzerland as Manuel Obafemi Akanji to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father. However, he chose to represent his mum’s country, becoming one of the national team’s most important players till date.

After a successful time in Basel, a young Akanji was snapped up by Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund. It was during his time there that the world got to know him properly.

Akanji won the DFL-Super Cup with BVB in 2019. He also played a pivotal role when the German side claimed the DFB-Pokal in the 2020-21 season.

His composure on the ball, technical abilities, and brilliant passing ability are what attracted Pep Guardiola to him. Since joining City in 2022, Akanji has won the Premier League and FA Cup twice each. He has also helped the club win the Uefa Champions League, the Uefa Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.

His experience, calmness, foresight, and leadership will be key for Switzerland at the Euro 2024.

2. Eberechi Eze – England

For ardent Premier League followers, Eze needs no introduction. His artistic and commanding displays have endeared him to the hearts of Crystal Palace Faithfuls.

Eze is one of the best dribblers and passers of the ball in the modern game and after another impressive season with the Eagles, it is no surprise he has been called up to England’s squad for the Euro tournament coming up later this month.

The 25-year-old was born in Greater London as Eberechi Oluchi Eze to Igbo Nigerian parents and was part of the youth system at Arsenal and Fulham. He later played for Queens Park Rangers. After a loan stint at Wycombe Wanderers, he signed for Palace in 2020.

In 2019, the then Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick reportedly paid a visit to Eze in order to lure him to play for the Super Eagles.

Four years after that meeting, Eze made his debut for England in June 2023. The game was a Euros qualifiers. Right now, Eze is on his way to participating in his first major tournament with the Three Lions. He had an outstanding time last season, scoring 11 goals and assisting a further four.

1. David Alaba – Austria

Born David Olatokunbo Alaba, the versatile and solid defender captains the Austria national team.

His dad is a prince from Ogere Remo in Ogun state, South West Nigeria.

Alaba is an experienced player who has enjoyed years of massive success, thanks to his lengthy spell at Bayern Munich. He joined Real Madrid in 2021 after leaving the Bundesliga giants.

The player has been regarded in many quarters as the best Austrian player of all time. He has been voted Austrian player of the year nine times – including six in a row.