Nigerian stars Eze, Maduekwe included in England’s U-21 Euros squad

NIGERIA’S hopes of convincing Eberechi Eze to play for the Super Eagles took a hit on Friday.

The Crystal Palace midfielder, who has Nigerian heritage but was born in London, has been named in England’s squad for the U-21 European Championship group stage in Slovenia next week.

Eze was listed on Monday along with 22 other players for the event scheduled for 24 March to 31 March.

Eze, 22, who has been one of Crystal Palace’s best players this season, has been courted by Nigeria for some time. The President of the Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnick met up with him in London when he was still with Queens Park Rangers, but Eze has refused to commit to his country of heritage.

Another player with Nigerian blood, Noni Maduekwe of PSV Eindhoven, is also in the England squad.

The London-born 19-year-old forward has been called up for the England U-21s for the first time after scoring nine goals and making eight assists for PSV in 26 appearances this season.

The Young Lions will face Croatia, Portugal and Switzerland in the group stage, with two teams qualifying for the finals billed for July.

The England squad also includes Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood, Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, as well as Arsenal forwards Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah.

This year’s U21 Euros sees the group phase and knockout stage held separately, rather than as just one summer tournament.

The group stage involves 16 nations between 24 March and 31 March with the four group winners and four runners-up qualifying for the knockout phase, which will be jointly hosted by Hungary and Slovenia from 31 May to 6 June 2021.