Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick has disclosed that Aston Villa’s new signing, Tammy Abraham, had once agreed to represent the Super Eagles before reversing his decision and committing to England.
Abraham, who recently returned to English football after spells with AS Roma, AC Milan, and Beşiktaş, signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa during the January transfer window. The London-born striker was eligible to play for Nigeria through his father, but ultimately opted to pursue his international career with the Three Lions. He made his England debut in a European Championship qualifier against the Czech Republic and has since earned 11 caps, scoring three goals. However, his last appearance came in June 2022 during a UEFA Nations League clash with Italy.
He expressed regret over the outcome, suggesting Abraham’s career trajectory might have been different had he chosen Nigeria. “Now he’s 28 and has returned to Aston Villa, but I can tell you that I regret it. I spoke to his father, we grew up together.
Speaking on The Playzone and Dangolo Way podcast, Pinnick reflected on Nigeria’s long-standing efforts to recruit foreign-born players of Nigerian descent. He revealed that discussions with Abraham had been positive and that the forward initially agreed to switch allegiance to Nigeria. Pinnick believed his close relationship with Abraham’s father, whom he grew up with, would help seal the deal. Yet, at the final moment, Abraham changed his mind.
“Tammy Abraham, we sat like this. We had agreed that he would come to play, but at the last moment he changed his decision,” Pinnick said. He expressed regret over the outcome, suggesting Abraham’s career trajectory might have been different had he chosen Nigeria. “Now he’s 28 and has returned to Aston Villa, but I can tell you that I regret it. I spoke to his father, we grew up together. He would have played for Nigeria. Agbonlahor played three games and that was it.”
Pinnick highlighted the importance of international football in sustaining a player’s career, citing Alex Iwobi as an example. “Iwobi is playing for the Super Eagles today. I know the role we played. If Iwobi had played for England, he would have stopped playing for England five or six years ago,” he explained.
The former NFF president emphasized that while club football can be unpredictable, national teams often provide players with consistent opportunities and recognition. He lamented that Abraham’s decision deprived Nigeria of a talented striker who could have bolstered the Super Eagles’ attacking options.
