By Nelson Dafe on October 7, 2020

England’s senior national team football manager Gareth Southgate has exercised his right to call up Bukayo Saka, the (Nigerian by blood) Arsenal youngster who has been a revelation for the Gunners since breaking into the club’s first team in 2018.

Saka is a player of immense quality, who has proven to be a wily winger, fine crosser of the ball and innocent-faced ruthless finisher of Arsenal’s usual fluid attacking moves. The 19-year-old blooming star’s reputation has been further enhanced by his versatility in defensive areas that has seen him functioning finely as a left back and left wing back for Arsenal, such is the high regard for his quality that his recent decision to put pen to paper to commit his long term future to Arsenal was greeted with huge relief amongst the Gunners fans.

But there was one huge decision that was left for the player to make and Nigerians and England fans had waited with hope as the player mulled on committing his international future to either country.

Alas, for Nigerian Super Eagles fans, Saka has been called up to play for England, the country where he was born, in the upcoming International Break, the Three Lions will play matches against Wales, Belgium and Denmark in October.

The player has graciously accepted the England invitation, remarking: “I’ve seen the process of how England are transforming and I think in the future they’re going to do great stuff. I feel like it was right for me to choose England.”

While it may be argued that the Nigerian Super Eagles is transforming just as fine, if not better,  under Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr with many young and good quality attacking players like Victor Osimhen (Of Napoli), Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow),Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal) and Cyrille Dessers (Genk) coming through, one could understand overall Saka’s decision or any other person’s decision to represent a people that have been part of his life since birth, who have played host to his coming of age.

When a player is born into a society and has grown to embrace the culture of that society, being what has formed his overall world view, turning back on that society could be difficult even when you recognize that by blood you also belong somewhere else.

I was born in Benin City, Edo State and having lived almost my whole life in the ancient city, made friends in Benin City, I feel as connected to the Edo people as I could possibly be. Representing the state in any meaningful capacity (to me) will not be a betrayal of my Delta roots even though I would also be immensely proud to represent my Abraka town in any capacity.

My decision to choose between representing Edo or Delta, if that choice is ever required, will be made with more nuanced considerations in mind beyond where I grew up or where I am from by blood.

So Saka’s decision has been made and I am sure it was not one he made without some serious thinking and Nigerians will have to respect that and wish him well.

What is certain now is that the lad is England’s headache and Nigerians shouldn’t be fazed about how his England national team trajectory turns out, not least because of the number of exciting talents that have emerged and those waiting in the wings to propel the Super Eagles to greatness.

•Nelson Dafe writes from Benin City, Edo State. PHOTO; Nelson Dafe.

Source Daily sports

Posted October 7, 2020

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