Italy hand late call-up to exciting EPL star on Chelle’s wishlist for Nigeria’s Super Eagles

Italy have handed a late call-up to Michael Kayode, but the bigger story is what it says about his international future and Nigeria’s fading hopes of bringing him into the Super Eagles setup, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Brentford full-back was officially added to Italy’s Under-21 squad on March 24, 2026, after what manager Silvio Baldini described as a ‘purely technical choice’ led to his earlier omission. That initial decision raised eyebrows, especially given Kayode’s strong performances in the Premier League this season.

After the situation was ‘clarified,’ Kayode was drafted into the U21 group and asked to report to camp in Tirrenia. It was a swift correction, but also a reminder of how close, yet still far, he is from the senior national team.

Kayode’s late inclusion comes shortly after he was overlooked by Italy’s senior coach Gennaro Gattuso for the country’s crucial 2026 World Cup play-off matches. That snub opened the door, at least slightly, for Nigeria to dream.

Yet, despite that disappointment, Kayode’s position is that his “dream remains to represent Italy”. Kayode’s statement shows that even with interest from Nigeria and admiration from Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, he is not thinking about switching allegiances anytime soon. Instead, he is focused on continuing his development at Brentford and earning a place with the Azzurri through consistent performances.

And on current form, he is doing just that. The 21-year-old has been one of the most reliable full-backs in the Premier League this season, starting almost every match and showing both defensive discipline and attacking energy.

Ahanor echoes Kayode’s Italy ambition as Nigeria wait

Kayode is not alone in his thinking. Honest Ahanor has taken a very similar path and his stance may be even more decisive.

The Atalanta teenager recently secured his Italian passport and chose to commit his immediate future to Italy by joining the U21 squad. Reports suggest he has already turned down approaches from the Nigeria Football Federation, making it clear where his priorities lie.

Ahanor’s connection to Italy is deeply personal. Born and raised there, he feels a stronger attachment to the country, and that has guided his decision to pursue a place in their senior team.

Together, both players present a difficult situation for Nigeria. On one hand, they remain eligible. Because they have only played at youth level, they are not yet fully tied to Italy under FIFA rules. A switch is still possible through a one-time change of association.

On the other hand, their intentions are clear and that matters just as much as eligibility.Nigeria’s strategy, as always, is one of patience. The federation is ‘waiting in the wings,’ hoping that continued exclusion from Italy’s senior squad might eventually change minds. It is a long game, built on opportunity rather than pressure.

There have been small signs that keep the conversation alive. Kayode’s decision to follow the Super Eagles on social media sparked speculation among fans, who saw it as a possible hint of openness. But for now, those signs remain just speculation.

In reality, both Kayode and Ahanor are firmly focused on Italy. Their immediate goal is clearly to impress at U21 level, break into the senior team, and build an international career with the Azzurri. Still, it is not over for Nigeria but it is certainly not straightforward.