Nigeria is on the verge of losing one of its promising football talents to England as Wolverhampton Wanderers youngster, Dominic Iorfa junior has been drafted to the Three Lions squad by Coach Roy Hodgson for the Euro 2016 qualifier against San Marino on Saturday.
Although still eligible to play for Nigeria, if he plays for England in a competitive game, Iorfa junior who has played for England at junior levels would no longer be available for the Super Eagles.
Before his latest call-up, the son of former Nigerian international, Dominic Iorfa senior was training with England U-21 squad under Gareth Southgate for the matches against USA U-23 and Norway.
Iorfa had been identified as a great prospect for the Super Eagles but his progress in England in recent times had put that in jeopardy.
“I’m proud of what he has achieved so far and I tip him to be one of the greatest defenders to come out of Nigeria in the class of Uche Okechukwu,” declared Iorfa senior last year.
“I believe my son will play for the Super Eagles but first he has to concentrate on his club career and that may be why he may not available for the age-group teams just yet. He still has a lot to learn in the game, but I believe he will be given a better chance in the national team than I was given when I was playing,” he added.
Iorfa made his breakthrough last season at Molineux after a loan spell with Shrewsbury and appears to be making waves in the England set-up. The 20-year-old has yet to play for the U21s but featured five times for the U20s including appearances at the Toulon tournament.
His father earlier said he would wait till he clocked 23 before making his senior international debut for the country of his birth or England.
“My boy will still play for Nigeria, but that will be when he is 23, much older and matured, because a lot of things are going on in the age-group teams and nobody wants to be messed up,” said Iorfa senior, who was a flying winger when in the 80s he represented Nigeria at full international level.
That might change should Hogson choose to play the youngster against San Marino on Saturday.
By Olisemeka Obeche
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