The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Thursday disclosed that world football governing body, FIFA, has cleared former Swiss U-20 international, Steven Archibong Effiong Ukoh, to play for the Super Eagles at senior level.
The versatile midfielder, born on June 19, 1991 to Nigerian parents in Berne, Switzerland, currently plays for Biel-Bienne FC in the European country.
Ukoh represented Switzerland at U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19 and U-20 levels between 2006 and 2010, but had a change of mind thereafter and opted to wear the green-white-green at senior international level.
His father, Archibong Effiong Ukoh and mother, Helene, hail from Itu local government area of Akwa Ibom State.
By the decision of a single judge of the FIFA Players’ Status Committee on December 4, 2014, Steven Ukoh was cleared to switch his nationality from Switzerland to Nigeria.
The NFF has also disclosed that Arsenal of England’s youngsters, Chuba Akpom and Semi Ajayi, have expressed interest in being part of the Super Eagles’ international friendlies against Cote d’Ivoire and Mali in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates next month.
The three–time African champions play Cup of Nations-bound Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire on January 9 before facing Mali’s Les Aiglons, also heading to Equatorial Guinea, on January 13.
Ajayi and Akpom could be called up by Coach Daniel Amokachi for the trip, alongside Steven Ukoh.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles’ defender, Kenneth Omeruo, could sign permanently with English championship side, Middlesbrough, at the end of the season, according to his representative, Chika Akujobi, SL10.com reports.
The 21-year old defender is on loan from English giants, Chelsea, to the Riverside stadium and has been an integral part of ‘Boro’s team this season.
However, Akujobi reckons that Omeruo still has three years to run on his contract with Chelsea and any deal to secure Omeruo’s services on a permanent basis will be between the Blues and Middlesbrough.
“He has a three-year contract with Chelsea and at the end of the season he is expected to return to Chelsea. But right now Middlesbrough are doing good and they are second on the table and you never know what will happen at the end of the season.
“I don’t know if I can say he will sign with Middlesbrough because he still has three years to run on his contract but maybe it could happen. But if the deal is going to happen, that will definitely be between them and Chelsea,” Akujobi revealed.
Omeruo, who is on his second spell on loan at Middlesbrough, had earlier spent another loan spell at Dutch side, Ado Den Haag. He has never played a competitive game for Chelsea’s first team.
The Guardian
