“Both my parents were Lagos born” — Gabriel Osho on picking Nigeria over England

By: Monsurah Olatunji

Auxerre defender Gabriel Osho has officially committed his international future to Nigeria, turning down the option to represent his country of birth, England.

The 26-year-old, born to Nigerian parents in England, is now focused on making his debut for the Super Eagles as they prepare to face Benin Republic and Rwanda in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Osho, who is eligible to play for both England and Nigeria, has long been linked with a potential switch to the Super Eagles.

His first call-up under former coach Finidi George came during the post-AFCON friendlies, but an untimely injury prevented him from joining the team at that time. However, his commitment to Nigeria has remained steadfast, and he is eager to represent the country of his heritage.

In 2015, Osho attended a training camp with the Golden Eaglets, Nigeria’s U-17 team, and since then, his loyalty to the Nigerian cause has only grown stronger.

When asked about his allegiance, Osho took the opportunity to highlight his deep connection to his Nigerian roots.

“My name is Gabriel Osho, defender for Auxerre and the Super Eagles,” he said, introducing himself with pride. “Both my parents were born in Lagos, and I am happy to be here.”

The defender’s decision to choose Nigeria over England reflects his unwavering pride in his heritage, despite speculation that many dual-national players who choose

Nigeria often struggle to break into the senior teams of their other countries. Osho’s statement reinforces his dedication to the Super Eagles, emphasizing that his identity and roots are firmly tied to Nigeria.

With the AFCON qualifiers fast approaching, Osho will be hoping to make his long-awaited debut for Nigeria, as the Super Eagles look to secure their place in the next edition of Africa’s premier football tournament.