A light-hearted social media exchange between Super Eagles vice-captain Wilfred Ndidi and his Besiktas teammate Felix Uduokhai has sparked serious conversations about Nigeria's future defensive options. In a video that quickly went viral, Ndidi was seen making a direct, albeit joking, appeal for the Germany-born centre-back to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria.
Ndidi's Playful Recruitment Drive Goes Viral
In the short clip, a smiling Ndidi turns the camera towards Uduokhai and makes his pitch clear: "Come and play for Nigeria. Centre-back, we want centre-back." Uduokhai, with a cheeky grin, responded by asking, "How much?" prompting an immediate laugh from Ndidi who retorted, "If you want money, just don't bother, just stay."
While the interaction was humorous, it highlights the ongoing, strategic efforts by Nigerian football stakeholders to recruit top dual-nationality talent. The video, published on December 4, 2025, has revived discussions about the need to reinforce the Super Eagles' defence as long-serving pillars like William Troost-Ekong and Semi Ajayi approach the latter stages of their international careers.
Who is Felix Uduokhai?
Felix Uduokhai is a 28-year-old, seasoned centre-back with significant Bundesliga experience, having played for 1860 Munich, VfL Wolfsburg, and FC Augsburg. Despite being capped by Germany at various youth levels and receiving a senior team call-up in 2020, he never made an appearance for Die Mannschaft. This makes him eligible to represent Nigeria, the nation of his ancestry, under FIFA's eligibility rules.
The defender has previously left the door open for a switch, stating that playing for the Super Eagles is something he would "consider if the situation is right." This statement has kept hope alive among Nigerian fans and officials who see his experience and quality as a potential major boost for the national team's backline.
Immediate Impact and Future Prospects
Despite the buzz, any potential switch for Uduokhai will not be immediate for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025. Head coach Eric Chelle has already released a provisional squad list that does not include the defender. However, the friendly bond already evident between Ndidi and Uduokhai at Besiktas fuels speculation for the long term.
Nigeria has a strong track record of successfully integrating foreign-born players, with stars like Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Maduka Okoye having chosen to represent the Super Eagles. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is actively seeking to continue this trend to strengthen the squad across all positions.
In a related positive development for the NFF's recruitment efforts, it was confirmed that former Arsenal defender Ryan Alebiosu has been cleared to play for Nigeria at AFCON 2025 after initial passport issues were resolved. This success story adds to the optimism that Uduokhai could be the next high-profile addition to the Super Eagles' ranks, following in the footsteps of many who have found a home in Nigerian football.
