Qatar 2022: Six Nigerian Descent Players At The World Cup

The World Cup is arguably the biggest sporting event in the world. With over a billion viewers, there is no doubt that the glamour brought by this event is second to none. Across all seven continents, every national team competes. Every four years, a new host country hosts the FIFA World Cup, and each time it does, the world reacts with tremendous joy, fear, worry, and expectation. Thats why we also want to give this event a special focus within our section Soccer Vista.

With the best football players in the world converging on Qatar this winter, representing your country at the World Cup is a tremendous honour. This is why every professional player dreams of participating in the World Cup. Those selected for the tournament by their national teams react with so much joy and happiness, while those who are left out or injured before the tournament’s commencement carry heavy hearts.

The 2022 World Cup being held in Qatar has got off to a beautiful start with some amazing football on display, a prime example being England’s demolition of Iran with a thumping 6 – 2 scoreline. However, while the excitement is going on, Betting Tips Africa brings its readers six players of Nigerian descent who are currently participating in the World Cup despite Nigeria being absent.

Jamal Musiala

The player for Bayern Munich, was conceived by a Nigerian father and a German mother and was consequently born in Stuttgart, Germany. He has been in outstanding form for Bayern Munich, and Hansi Flick has taken note, putting him on the final roster to represent Germany in Qatar. 

At age seven, Musiala departed Germany for England, eventually enrolling in Chelsea’s youth program. He progressed through the Cobham youth system and then returned to Germany at age 16 to join Bayern Munich’s academy.

At such a young age, Musiala already possesses an abundance of qualities, including excellent close control, combativeness, speed, one v one dribbling ability, and an eye for goal. By making the most of his opportunities, he is already a mainstay in Bayern’s starting lineup and is currently amongst the most productive youngsters in the World.

Karim Adeyemi

The German-Nigerian player has done exceptionally well for Borussia Dortmund since his move. His father is Nigerian, and his mother is German. Because of his blistering form, Germany’s manager Hansi Flick has included him on the final roster of German players for the World Cup event in Qatar. 

Adeyemi is virtually unstoppable when on-song, thanks to a combination of technical wizardry and lightning speed. He picks up speed quickly while dribbling, but he almost never loses possession of the ball, which is a huge asset in modern football. Adeyemi’s poaching ability and ability to find space in dangerous areas make him a deadly finisher inside the box.

Adeyemi’s primary position is as a striker, but he can also operate on the wings. When he is the lone striker, he will drop back into a deeper role to link play and make space for the attacking midfielders to combine. 

Manuel Akanji

The silky defender for Manchester City was conceived in Switzerland to a Nigerian mother and a Swiss father. For this ongoing next World Cup in Qatar, he will be representing Switzerland. He is an elite-level ball-playing centre-back (which is a significant reason why Pep Guardiola signed him) but also highly intelligent. Akanji has been settling in well at the Etihad Stadium, with his team occupying the second position in the Premier League standings behind Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

Sam Adekugbe

The Canadian footballer who currently plays for Hatayspor in Turkey was born in the United Kingdom to Nigerian parents. He and his family remained in the United Kingdom until he was ten years old, at which point they relocated to Canada. The powerful defender will compete with Canada and the national team at the World Cup tournament, with their first match coming up against a star-studded Belgium side. 

Adekugbe is a hard-nosed defender and generally does well when it comes to performing the basics. Being selected in Canada’s final 26-man squad for a world cup tournament after a 36-year absence is a testament to Adekugbe’s ability.

Ike Ugbo

The English-Canadian footballer was born to Nigerian parents in England. When he was four or five, his family relocated to Canada, where he continued his football career at the youth level until he was old enough to move and join the Chelsea Academy in England. Ugbo played for the England under-15 and under-20 teams 20 times, but he was unable to make a significant impression at the senior level. He graduated from Chelsea’s famous Cobham academy but never played a game for the west London club. 

He has been playing so well for his current team Troyes in France, and his blistering form has convinced the Canadian national team to include him in their final roster for the World Cup in Qatar.

Noah Okafor

The Swiss mother and Nigerian father of Red Bull Salzburg’s striker Noah Okafor made their home in Switzerland, where he was born. Due to his outstanding play and dedication to the RB Salzburg team, the 22 year old has been included on Switzerland’s final roster to compete in the World Cup, which is taking place in Qatar.

There is zero doubt that these Nigerian-descent players are outstanding in their own right, and maybe they could have helped the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup.

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