AFCON 2025: Nigeria is a big part of me — Ryan Alebiosu ready to shine for Super Eagles after snubbing England
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Ryan Alebiosu was called up by Eric Chelle to represent Nigeria at AFCON 2025, choosing the Super Eagles over his birth country, England.
Born in England to Nigerian parents, the 23-year-old was eligible to play for either nation.
🚨OFFICIAL: Ryan Alebiosu has been selected in the final AFCON squad for Nigeria.
— RoversXtra (@RoversXtra) December 11, 2025
Congratulations, Ryan! 🥳#BRFC | #Rovers pic.twitter.com/kLh7Jtm3ZC
However, after being named in Nigeria's squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the former Arsenal youth player confirmed his commitment to Nigeria.
Alebiosu's inclusion comes as a result of injuries to key players, with Nottingham Forest's Ola Aina and Brentford loanee Benjamin Fredrick both ruled out of the fixtures in Morocco.
🗣️ "𝙄'𝙢 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙗 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩"
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) December 16, 2025
🇳🇬 We caught up with Ryan Alebiosu before he jetted off to represent Nigeria at #AFCON2025.#Rovers 🔵⚪️
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle moved quickly to bring the versatile defender into the fold.
Ryan Alebiosu on choosing Nigeria over England
Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire about his decision, Alebiosu described the opportunity as a significant moment in his career.
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"I am obviously excited; playing for my nation for the first time is a pleasure," he stated.
"It has always been a big part of me, Nigeria and England, one of them."
He added, "And obviously Nigeria came calling, it’s something that I didn’t want to miss. It’s a big opportunity, especially at 23 years of age. It’s special."
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