Newcastle United forward Sammy Ameobi says he will like to commit his international future to Nigeria after his elder sibling, Shola, represented the country at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The international future of the player, who was born in Newcastle to Nigerian parents, had been in doubt, after ditching Nigeria for England at youth level.
Ameobi played two friendly games – against Saudi Arabia and Egypt – for the Flying Eagles in 2011, preparatory to that year’s African Youth Championship.
But he later accepted a call up to the England U-21 side, and also played two games against Iceland and Belgium.
But now, the player will be happy to wear Nigeria’s green and white colours at senior level. He was in Brazil to cheer Shola, as Nigeria reached the last 16 of the World Cup.
“It will be a great honour to play for Nigeria. I would love it. I have seen how it has been with my brother and the World Cup was a great experience, which I would love to experience and help make sure Nigeria participates in again,” Ameobi told supersport.com.
The 22-year-old said Shola has been a huge influence on his career.
“He has always been there for me. Whenever I needed advice, he would volunteer it; and also when I tried to make moves that might have derailed my career, he was quick to pull me back on track. It is great to have a proper professional as an older brother.”
The forward was loaned out to Middlesbrough in 2013 but he is hopeful of a great season ahead.
“I am no longer a kid, I am in the last year of my contract with Newcastle and I have to start it with a bang. I have had a lot of injuries which I am hoping I have gotten over now, so I need to play very well to either get a new contract with Newcastle or be able to make a good move elsewhere,” he added. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Nigeria senior national team should not be used as rehabilitation or retirement arena. When your brother Shola was young and felt he was hot he opted to play for England and when he realized that he may never make full England senior cap as he is aging and performing below par he decided to play for Nigeria.sadly,Keshi picked him for last months world cup in Brasil just for him to massage his ago that he played in world cup finals.His club Newcastle United realized him immediately after the tournament.Now,his brother Sammy whom has no pedigrees in top flight football is talking nonsense.Maybe. he want to enter the national team also through the back door too. Nigeria has abundant young talent here yet we keep calling tired legs and average players for tournaments Why? Sammy has yo prove himself that he is among the best before he can earn a call up.After all National Team is not their fathers property that whether they play or not their names must be smuggled into the team,Shola did not play anything in the world cup now this one that we have never seen play has come again. All things being equal,let players performance earn them a place in the national team not media vituperation .
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