England wary of Nigeria, plan Ibe coup

Nigeria’s chances of getting Jordon Ibe to don the green and white of the Super Eagles looks set to be checkmated by the Liverpool forward’s country of birth with reports suggesting that England are set to fast-track the 19-yearold’s call-up to the senior national team to keep him from Nigeria’s clutches.
Ibe, who in recent weeks has posted a string of impressive displays for Liverpool, has
represented England at U-18, U-19 and U-20 levels, and is now set for a call up to the U-21 side managed by former England defender, Gareth Southgate. Despite playing for England at agegrade level, Ibe remains eligible to play for Nigeria until he plays a competitive international for the senior side, and the Nigeria Football Federation has begun the process of trying to convince the teenager to turn his back on England and play for Nigeria, the country of his father’s birth.
Nigeria’s interest has not gone unnoticed though and the English FA, according to English newspaper, The Daily Mail, will consider fast-tracking Ibe into the senior set-up in the coming months in an attempt to convince him his international future remains with England, particularly if he continues in his rich vein of form.
However, the report stated that England manager, Roy Hodgson, is unlikely to give Ibe a call-up for next month’s matches against Lithuania and Italy, instead citing June’s games against Ireland and Slovenia as a more realistic target for the youngster to make his England debut.

Ibe could however make his Nigeria debut next month as the Super Eagles have games against Bolivia and Ghana, provided the NFF are able to convince him his international future lies with Nigeria and not England.