Manchester United U-23s Star Tosin Kehinde Commits to Nigeria Inspired by Football Icons

Manchester United U-23s midfielder Tosin Kehinde has formally expressed his desire to represent Nigeria over England, highlighting his deep connection to the country of his birth. Born in Lagos but raised in England, the 19-year-old is eligible to play for both nations.

In a meeting with Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials last weekend in London, Kehinde, alongside his parents, initiated the process of formalizing his switch to Nigeria. Speaking with BBC Sport, Kehinde revealed the profound influence Nigeria has had on his life, stating, “Nigeria has always been a part of me. I was born there. My whole family is Nigerian. I come from a very strong Nigerian background, so the influence has always been around me.”

The young midfielder cited players like Jay Jay Okocha, Alex Iwobi, and Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi as significant inspirations for his decision to play for Nigeria. He commended Iwobi’s switch in 2015, emphasizing the allure of representing the nation of his heritage.

Kehinde, who began his football journey with a junior Sunday league team at the age of seven before joining Manchester United’s junior side at 13, expressed his aspirations to feature in the main team. He voiced his admiration for manager Jose Mourinho’s commitment to youth development, saying, “The manager’s [Jose Mourinho’s] continued belief in the youth and giving people opportunity has made me feel that if I keep working hard, maybe I can get the opportunity as well.”

As Kehinde aligns his footballing future with Nigeria, the prospect of donning the Super Eagles jersey becomes a compelling chapter in his promising career.