Super Eagles and Birmingham City defender Bright Osayi-Samuel has opened up about his decision to represent Nigeria instead of England at international level.
The 28-year-old cited his strong cultural upbringing and deep connection to Nigeria as key factors in his choice.
“My friends have also asked me the same question,” Osayi-Samuel told OmaSportsTV. “I was strongly influenced by my country, with my dad and mum exposing me to Nigerian culture, attending Nigerian weddings, enjoying the food and everything. Playing in England, you start to play with players who represent their own countries, and you begin to understand the importance of international football.”
He acknowledged that many see England as the bigger opportunity, but insisted the emotional bond and unity within the Nigerian team are unmatched.
“When it comes to how the team works together and the overall feeling, I don’t think you’d notice that kind of connection if you were playing for England. In the Nigeria setup, everyone is having fun. You never see any bad feelings, even players who aren’t playing are smiling and excited about the game and training. This is one of the reasons I will always choose Nigeria first,” he said.
Osayi-Samuel also revealed that his positional switch to right-back contributed to his international breakthrough.
“It was when I signed with Fenerbahçe that they wanted me to play as a right-back. At first, I didn’t like it, but over time I started learning more about the position. Then I got the chance to play for Nigeria, and I thought, if this is how I get to represent my country, I’ll take it because I’ve always dreamed of playing for Nigeria,” he explained.
He added that representing Nigeria is a source of pride for his family and a way to give back to supporters back home.
“Nigeria is a country that my mum and dad are really proud of, and I’m proud of it too. Tournaments like AFCON give me the chance to give something back. The love and messages I’ve received from people back home have been really amazing,” Osayi-Samuel said.
Since making his Super Eagles debut in a high-profile friendly against Portugal, Osayi-Samuel has earned 32 caps, establishing himself as a regular in the national team.
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