Nathan Tella reveals his desire to represent Nigeria

Bayer Leverkusen’s winger, Nathan Tella, has opened up about his strong desire to play for the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles.

Despite being born in London, Tella, who has Nigerian parents, has chosen to represent Nigeria, turning down the opportunity to play for England. In an interview with Bayer Leverkusen’s official website and in a conversation with OmaSports, the 25-year-old explained his decision and the motivation behind it.

Tella stated, “I feel like it’s always been a big part of my life. I was born in London and I’ve been in England all my life, but at the same time, my parents and grandparents are Nigerian, so I feel like it’s the right route to go down. I want to do something that makes my family proud as well.”

He expressed admiration for the Super Eagles, emphasizing their talent and the challenge of playing alongside some of the best players in Nigeria. Tella joined Bayer Leverkusen this summer after his time at Sky Bet Championship club Southampton.

Tella said, “It’s a very talented national team, but I’ve always liked to challenge myself. The reason I’m here is to push myself and challenge myself. I wanted to play with better players, and with the national team, you’re playing with the best players in the country. By all means, I want to get to know them, play with them, learn from them, and then get the opportunity to improve.”