News
Edna Imade Commits International Future To Spain, Ends Nigeria’s Pursuit
By Samuel Ahmadu
Spain has secured the international future of highly rated young forward Edna Imade after naming the 25-year-old in the final squad for the UEFA Women’s Nations League Final slated for 21 November 2025.
The confirmation, announced on Friday by the Spanish Football Federation, effectively ends interest from Nigeria and Morocco, who had both been keen to convince the player to represent them at senior level.
In January 2025, our correspondence has interviewed Imade and she welcomed the prospect of suiting up for the West African nation, before switching to the Spaniards.
Imade’s call-up for a competitive senior final means that once she steps onto the pitch, she will be permanently tied to Spain under FIFA eligibility rules.
The forward’s international status had been the subject of prolonged discussion due to her eligibility for three countries.
Born in Morocco to Nigerian parents and raised in Spain, Imade progressed through Spain’s development structure and established herself as one of the most promising attackers in the national youth system.
Her multicultural heritage, combined with her rapid development, made her a major target for the Nigerian Football Federation and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation in recent months.
Spain’s decision to include her in the Nations League Final underscores their determination to secure her long term and stresses the challenges African federations continue to face in attracting or retaining diaspora talent developed in Europe’s elite football ecosystems.
Imade has enjoyed a steady rise over the past two seasons, building a reputation for her sharp movement, pace and composed finishing.
Comfortable playing as a central striker or from the wings, she has been praised by coaches for her tactical intelligence and technical refinement, attributes strongly aligned with Spain’s possession-driven style.
Her standout performances at club level and in Spain’s youth teams positioned her as a future senior international, prompting Friday’s decisive inclusion.
For Spain, Imade bolsters an already draught squad heading into the Nations League Final.
For Nigeria and Morocco, her selection marks the loss of a highly regarded prospect who had been seen as a long-term attacking asset.
