Tosin Adarabioyo, the Chelsea central defender and Manchester City academy graduate, has officially decided not to join the Super Eagles for Nigeria’s upcoming international fixtures, according to exclusive confirmation from Allnigeriasoccer.com. The 28-year-old will not be included in the squad for the Unity Cup matches, nor for the high-profile friendlies against Poland on June 3 and Portugal on June 10. Despite earlier speculation in local media suggesting he had committed to playing for Nigeria, sources confirm that Adarabioyo is currently not focused on international football and has not engaged with the Nigeria Football Federation about switching allegiance.
The decision comes after former Super Eagles coach José Peseiro made informal inquiries about Adarabioyo’s willingness to represent Nigeria, but no formal agreement or commitment was ever reached. Adarabioyo, who made his professional debut for Manchester City in an FA Cup match against Chelsea, has previously played for England at the youth level, including U16, U17, U18, and U19 teams. Since all those appearances were in friendly matches, FIFA would not require special approval for him to switch to Nigeria if he chooses to do so in the future.
This development means Nigeria will have to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements ahead of the June friendlies. The Super Eagles are preparing for these matches as part of their ongoing preparations for upcoming qualifiers and tournaments, and the absence of a player of Adarabioyo’s caliber is a notable gap. His experience in the Premier League and his physical presence could have added depth to the backline, especially against strong European opposition.
Despite the current non-involvement, the door remains open for Adarabioyo to consider Nigeria in the future. His eligibility is still valid under FIFA rules, and any future decision would depend on personal and professional factors. For now, the focus remains on the players already committed to the national team, as the Super Eagles continue their campaign under new leadership and with renewed expectations.
The Super Eagles’ management will continue to monitor potential candidates for future call-ups, and Adarabioyo’s name may re-emerge if he decides to pursue international football with Nigeria. His career trajectory and availability will be watched closely by fans and selectors alike as the team aims to strengthen its defensive options ahead of key competitions.
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