A major win for the Nigeria Football Federation after Chelsea youth striker Chizaram “Chizzy” Ezenwata confirmed his intention to switch international allegiance from England to Nigeria.
Born in London in 2008, Ezenwata is eligible to represent England, Cameroon and Nigeria through his father, former Gombe United winger Ndubuisi Ezenwata, and his mother. He’s already appeared four times for England’s Under-17s, scoring twice in a European Championship qualifier against Malta in October 2024.
Yet the Nigeria Football Federation has now secured his commitment. Under FIFA rules, youth-level caps do not prevent a switch, and Chizzy has accepted a call-up to train with the Flying Eagles ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He’s expected to join camp in Abuja on Monday, 18 August, where head coach Aliyu Zubairu will evaluate him for possible inclusion in the tournament squad .
The NFF and Zubairu have been keen to bolster the forward line following a goal drought at the recent WAFU B U-20 Boys Cup. Chizzy’s decision follows River Plate youth striker Jonathan Spiff Asuzu expressing similar intent to join the Flying Eagles.
Chizzy even paid a visit to the Super Eagles’ training base in West London on 29 May 2025, receiving a warm welcome from head coach Eric Chelle and members of the squad. Conversations during his visit touched on opportunities with both the Flying Eagles and Nigeria’s Olympic team.
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Editorial
We celebrate this moment with pride, seeing Chizzy’s choice as a beacon of national aspiration. It’s not merely about recruiting a promising young striker it’s proof that our heritage, opportunity and vision resonate deeply with the next generation.
We believe that his commitment speaks volumes: Nigeria’s appeal is not just emotional, but built on history, ambition, and promise. In welcoming a figure like Chizzy, we witness not just a signing but a statement that our programme champions merit and dreams alike.
We sense that this is a turning point. Our youth ranks are becoming global portraits of choice and opportunity—players choosing Nigeria because they see themselves reflected in our path forward. Chizzy joins a cohort that could soon define the Flying Eagles’ identity.
We continue to hold our belief this is not just a call-up. It’s the first shot in a legacy, and we stand ready to see it become something extraordinary.
Did You Know?
- Chizaram Ezenwata is affectionately known as Chizzy, a nickname that has trended across Chelsea’s youth academy highlights.
- His father, Ndubuisi, once starred for Gombe United in the Nigerian top division, making the family’s footballing ties both local and international.
- Despite being born and raised in England, Chizzy was invited to the Super Eagles’ training camp in London on 29 May 2025—an early gesture of interest from Nigeria’s senior team.
- FIFA eligibility rules allow a one-time national switch provided a player hasn’t appeared at senior competitive level—Chizzy’s youth caps don’t bind him, giving him flexibility in choice.
- Head coach Aliyu Zubairu has actively recruited dual nationals like Chizzy and Spiff Asuzu to address goal-scoring issues revealed during the WAFU B U-20 Boys Cup.
