Interim Italy coach Silvio Baldini has announced a 24-man experimental squad for Italy’s final two friendly matches of the season, including three players of Nigerian heritage who could make their senior international debuts. The Azzurri will face Luxembourg on June 3 at the Stade de Luxembourg and Greece on June 7 at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion, Crete. Paris FC forward Luca Koleosho, Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, and Genoa striker Jeff Ekhator are all included in the squad, marking their first call-up to the senior national team.
Koleosho, born in Norwalk, Connecticut, holds eligibility for Nigeria, Italy, the United States, and Canada. Ahanor, born in Aversa, and Ekhator, a native of Genoa, both trace their Nigerian roots through their parents. Ahanor recently obtained his Italian passport in March, which allowed him to debut for Italy’s U21 team in a European Championship qualifier against Sweden. While all three players are currently provisionally cap-tied to Italy, they would need to file a one-time change of sporting nationality if they choose to represent Nigeria in the future.
Importantly, appearances in these friendlies will not permanently bind them to Italy, leaving the door open for potential future switches. Italy has a history of successfully convincing players of Nigerian descent to commit to the Azzurri, including Destiny Udogie, Angelo Ogbonna, Stefano Okaka, and Michael Folorunsho. However, not all players follow this path. Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, who is also eligible for Italy, chose to represent Nigeria and has since become a key player for the Super Eagles, featuring prominently in the last two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Former Italian-born defender Ugo Ukah, who played for Parma, also represented Nigeria before retiring from professional football. His decision highlights the ongoing tug-of-war between national identities for players of dual heritage. The inclusion of Koleosho, Ahanor, and Ekhator in Italy’s squad reflects the country’s strategy to integrate young talents with international eligibility, while also raising questions about their long-term allegiances.
As the Azzurri prepare for these friendlies, the focus remains on assessing new talent and building cohesion under Baldini’s interim leadership. The performances of these Nigerian-eligible players could influence future decisions, both for Italy and Nigeria’s national team selectors. The upcoming matches may mark the beginning of a new chapter for these young athletes, with their international futures still very much in play.
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