Why Mbappe, Dembele, Balogun and Other African Talents Represent Foreign Nations

Have you ever wondered why many quality players of African descent, including Nigerians, feature for the national teams of other countries at major international competitions?

Nine persons of African descent play in France alone. These are: Kylian Mbappe (Cameroon), Ousman Dembele (Mali), Kanye (Mali), Michael Olise (Nigeria), Manu Kone (Ivory coast), Jean-Phillipe Mateta (DR Congo), Saliba: (Cameroon), Joules Jules Kounde (Benin Republic) and Dayot Upamecano (Senegal).

In England we have Bukayo Saka (Nigeria), Eberechi Eze (Nigeria), Kobbie Mainoo (Ghana), Marc Guéhi (Ivory Coast) and Noni Madueke (Nigeria). Spain has Lamin Yamal (Morocco), Nico Williams (Ghana) and Ansu Fati (Guinea Bissau). According to renowned sports journalist Ikedi Isiguzo, one major reason is the environment in which footballers develop and thrive. Talented players naturally seek the best opportunities in terms of welfare, training facilities and the recognition accorded them. Speaking in an exclusive interview on Inside Out, a programme of True Vision Media Group, Isiguzo noted that, with the exception of Cape Verde, African countries that have performed well on the world stage generally possess stronger domestic leagues than Nigeria.

Evidence of this superiority, he said, can be seen in the poor performance of Nigerian teams in continental club competitions, where participants are drawn largely from domestic leagues. In his words: “See how poorly we have been doing in those other competitions, but these other countries are very strong in them. So the best talents will naturally go to the best places.” Isiguzo, who is widely respected as an authority in sports journalism, spoke on a wide range of issues affecting football administration in Nigeria.

Visit True Vision Online Television for the full details of this no-holds-barred interview.