Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella has explained what he will bring to the Super Eagles as he looks forward to making his debut in this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Tella had his first training session with the Super Eagles on Tuesday in Uyo as the team prepares for Thursday’s qualifier against Lesotho.
When asked why type of player he is and what should fans be looking forward to:
“Someone who is direct, who makes a lot of runs, in behind, like to get into one versus one situations to dribble and also to score and assist my team,” he told NFF TV.
On his first session with the team, the 24-year-old described it as good.
“My first training session with the Super Eagles was good I’m with very talented team, very good players and it’s nice to be a part of them and they welcomed me well I’m happy and looking forward to the upcoming games.
“Just playing with the best players in the country. I always want to push myself and challenge myself to play with the best and be among the best. I got the opportunity to do it at club level now I can do it at international level so it’s a big opportunity for me.”
After Thursday’s match-day one game against Lesotho, the Super Eagles will face Zimbabwe on Sunday, 19 November in Rwanda.
The 24-year-old was named in the team released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on last week Thursday night after featuring four times so far this season for the German side, which sits at the top of the Bundesliga table.
Tella was born in England to parents of Nigerian descent. He joined Arsenal Academy at a young age; after a decade at the club, he joined Southampton in 2017.
“I’ve always said for the last three or four years that Nigeria is a big part of my life, even though I’ve been an ‘England boy’ from London all my life.
“If I got the chance to play for Nigeria, I would be more than happy and accept it. I’ve already told my parents and friends that I would do that.
“You’re not just nominated like that. You have to work for it and earn it. I want to prove myself here if I get the chance to play. I want to develop further, help the team and the club – if a call comes for an international call-up, that would be a bonus.”
He joined Burley on loan at the start of the 2022-2 season, scoring 19 goals in 45 games. In the summer, Tella joined Xabi Alonso’s side for a reported fee of £20 million
