5 Nigeria descents playing for other African nations including South Africa & Ghana

Nigeria has produced generations of footballers who have gone on to make their mark around the world, Afrik-Foot reports.

But the country’s influence on African football extends beyond the Super Eagles, with several players of Nigerian birth or descent representing other national teams on the continent.

Some were born in Nigeria before building their careers elsewhere. Others were born in different countries but have Nigerian parents or family roots, giving them eligibility to represent the country of their heritage as well as the nation where they grew up.

That has created some fascinating cases across African international football. Benin, South Africa and Ghana are among the countries that have benefited from players with Nigerian connections, with some of them becoming important members of their respective national teams.

Here are five players with Nigerian roots who have chosen to represent other African nations.

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Junior Olaitan – Benin

Born: May 9, 2002, Porto-Novo, Benin
Position: Attacking midfielder
Club: Beşiktaş
National team: Benin

Junior Olaitan is one of the most established names on this list and has become an important part of Benin’s midfield.

Born in Porto-Novo to a Nigerian father and Beninese mother, Olaitan was raised in Nigeria before beginning his professional career with Ayema in Benin. He subsequently moved to France, where he played for Niort and Troyes, before spells with Grenoble and Göztepe.

The 24-year-old joined Beşiktaş this year, having previously played several Turkish league matches for Göztepe during the 2025-26 season. He has since become a regular contributor in Turkey.

His international career began in 2021, and the numbers underline his importance to Benin. Olaitan has made 40 appearances, scored three goals and provided six assists for the Cheetahs. During the 2026 World Cup qualifiers alone, he played nine matches, contributing one goal and two assists.

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has expressed a silent regret that Olaitan did not play his international football for Nigeria.

Aiyegun Tosin – Benin

Born: June 26, 1998, Lagos, Nigeria
Position: Forward
Club: Lorient
National team: Benin

If there is one player on this list who can genuinely be described as Nigerian-born, it is Aiyegun Tosin.

The Lagos-born forward came through Real Sapphire in Nigeria before moving to Latvia, where he became one of the league’s most prolific attackers with Ventspils. He scored 33 goals in 72 appearances for the club.

His form earned him a move to FC Zürich, where he scored 31 goals in 91 appearances, before joining French club Lorient in 2023 in a reported €4 million transfer.

Tosin has also built a significant international career with Benin. He made his debut against Liberia in March 2022 and scored in a 4-0 victory.

Since making his Benin debut Tosin has made 19 appearances for Benin, scoring four goals and providing one assist. He also featured at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, appearing in all four of Benin’s matches at the tournament.

His club numbers have remained respectable too. In the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season, Tosin made 27 appearances and scored five goals, while he has started the 2026-27 campaign with impressive performances for Lorient.

Born in Lagos, but now a Benin international, Tosin provides one of the clearest examples of Nigeria’s footballing talent appearing in another country’s colours.

Ime Okon – South Africa

Born: February 20, 2004, South Africa
Position: Centre-back
Club: Hannover 96
National team: South Africa

Ime Okon’s story is different. He was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and South African mother, and grew up in South Africa. For years, there was therefore a genuine possibility that he could eventually play for the Super Eagles.

In 2023, while still a teenager at SuperSport United, Okon admitted that he had not yet decided between Nigeria and South Africa. He eventually chose Bafana Bafana, explaining later that South Africa was the country he regarded as home.

The centre-back made his senior international debut against Mozambique at the 2025 COSAFA Cup and scored his first international goal against Zimbabwe three days later.

His club career has also taken a significant step forward. After making 43 league appearances and scoring once for SuperSport United, Okon moved to German club Hannover 96 in 2025.

He made 25 2. Bundesliga appearances and scored twice in 2025-26. By the current 2026-27 campaign, he had appeared in each of Hannover’s first six league matches, albeit mostly from the bench.

More importantly, Okon was part of South Africa’s 2026 World Cup squad, giving the Nigerian-born football connection another major international chapter.

Joseph Ede Oloko – Benin

Born: Lagos, Nigeria
Position: Forward
Club: Liepāja
National team: Benin

Joseph Ede Oloko is perhaps the most timely name on this list.

The Lagos-born striker developed at 36 Lion FC in Nigeria before moving to AS Cotonou in Benin and subsequently continuing his career in the Czech Republic and Latvia.

His goals in Latvia have now earned him a place in Benin’s senior setup.

And the numbers explain why. Oloko scored 26 goals and supplied six assists in 30 matches across all competitions for Liepāja in 2026. That remarkable scoring record earned him his first senior Benin call-up from coach Gernot Rohr in September 2026.

Oloko also has a clear connection to both countries. He has explained that his mother is Beninese, while he also has Nigerian roots, making his decision to represent Benin a reflection of both sides of his family background.

Lawrence Agyekum – Ghana

Born: November 23, 2003, Ghana
Position: Midfielder
Club: Cercle Brugge
National team: Ghana

Lawrence Agyekum is another player whose family ties could have taken his international career in a different direction.

The midfielder was born in Ghana and came through the West African Football Academy (WAFA) before moving to Austria. He joined Red Bull Salzburg in 2022, with much of his early European development coming through FC Liefering.

Agyekum spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Belgian club Cercle Brugge, making 33 league appearances and scoring twice. His performances earned him a permanent move to the Belgian club in 2025.

Internationally, Agyekum chose Ghana despite having a Nigerian mother, giving him a direct family connection to Nigeria. He made his senior Black Stars debut on March 21, 2025, coming on for the final eight minutes of Ghana’s 5-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Chad.

The 22-year-old Cercle Brugge star will look to help Ghana reach the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in East Africa.