Ex-NFF Chief Pinnick Claims Tammy Abraham Initially Agreed to Play for Nigeria
Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has revealed that Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham once agreed to represent the Super Eagles before ultimately choosing England.
Abraham, 26, returned to the Premier League in January, signing for Aston Villa after stints in Italy and Turkey. Born in London, he was eligible for Nigeria through his father and was pursued by the NFF during his formative years. However, he committed to England in 2017 and has since earned 11 caps, scoring three goals.
Pinnick stated that negotiations with Abraham and his family were advanced. “We sat like this. We had agreed that he would come to play, but at the last moment he changed his decision,” Pinnick said on the The Playzone and Dangolo Way podcast. He expressed personal disappointment, noting a long-standing relationship with Abraham’s father.
The former NFF president drew a parallel with Alex Iwobi, another England-born player who chose Nigeria. Pinnick contended that Iwobi’s regular football with the Super Eagles prolonged his international career, suggesting a similar path for Abraham might have benefited him. “If your football club doesn’t support you, your national team will,” he remarked, referencing Nigeria’s recent Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Abraham’s last appearance for England was in June 2022. His return to Villa this year has reignited discussion about his club future, but his international choice appears settled. For Nigeria, the case underscores the persistent challenge of convincing top-tier, foreign-born talents to commit, despite deep eligibility ties and proactive recruitment.
The episode highlights how high-stakes player allegiance decisions often hinge on late, personal changes—a reality for many African nations seeking to harness the global diaspora’s talent.
