Serie A Side Lei d’Italia Denies NFF Request for Flying Eagles’ Winger

Italian Serie A outfit Lecce have declined the Nigeria Football Federation’s appeal to release promising winger Divine Onyemachi for Flying Eagles duty as they prepare for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. The club’s decision aligns with a similar stance taken over Matías Pérez, a summer recruit who has also been denied permission to join Chile’s U-20s for their pre-tournament preparations.

Onyemachi, who was born in The Gambia and draws comparisons with Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, moved from West Bromwich Albion to Lecce in July though the transfer only became official earlier this month when he turned 18. With the winger already having missed most of Lecce’s pre-season, the club is reluctant to release him, fearing that it would disrupt his adaptation to Italian football.

Lecce intend to integrate him gradually opting for appearances in cup competitions and maintaining his presence within the first team training set up, rather than allowing him to leave for international duty. Officially a Primavera player, Onyemachi currently trains with the senior squad twice weekly.

The NFF continues to navigate challenges posed by European clubs when attempting to assemble their strongest Flying Eagles squad, having similarly had a request rejected earlier this week for U-18 striker Chizaram Ezenwata.

Editorial

We view Lecce’s refusal to release Divine Onyemachi not merely as a setback for the Flying Eagles, but as a signal of shifting priorities in football development. Clubs like Lecce are increasingly asserting control over their young talents’ early careers, placing emphasis on continuity in training and adaptation to new systems.

To us, Onyemachi’s situation highlights a growing tension between national duty and club interests. While the U-20 World Cup offers invaluable exposure, the immediate demands of top-flight football in Italy carry enormous weight for both the player and his club. Lecce’s approach gradual integration rather than immediate deployment—speaks to the responsibility they feel in nurturing his long-term growth.

We sympathise with the NFF’s dilemma: building a competitive squad requires access to top talents at critical stages. Yet we understand why clubs hesitate. Deploying a player during a delicate transition may yield short-term gains but it risks derailing a carefully managed developmental trajectory.

This underscores a broader imperative perhaps it is time for greater collaboration between clubs and national associations. Establishing frameworks that respect both a player’s growth at club level and the nation’s aspirations might ensure that talents such as Onyemachi can flourish fully on both domestic and international stages.

Did You Know?

1. Divine Onyemachi completed his transfer to Lecce only after turning 18 this month.
2. He has often been likened to Ademola Lookman, due to similarities in playing style and position.
3. Despite being officially registered with the Primavera squad, Onyemachi already trains twice weekly with Lecce’s first team.
4. Lecce made a similar policy decision when they also refused to release their Chilean U-20 signing, Matías Pérez, for international camp.
5. The NFF’s recent request to Chelsea seeking the release of U-18 striker Chizaram Ezenwata was likewise denied this week.