Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso’s decision not to include Brentford defender Michael Kayode in his squad for the World Cup qualifying playoff has brought the defender one step closer to playing for Nigeria, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Born in Italy to parents of Nigerian descent, the 21-year-old was hoping to be included in the Italian squad for the home-and-away playoff matches against Northern Ireland, hoping to be in his first World Cup since 2014.
Kayode would have committed his future to Italy if he were in the team, but following his omission he will move on and hold planned talks with Nigeria coach Eric Chelle about changing nationality.
A timetable had been set to end any discussion over his international future, but it has now been postponed to the summer following Gattuso’s recent decision not to include him in his play-off squad.
Reports in Italy say that it does not fit the playing style of Gattuso’s team, who does not play with a full-back but uses full-backs.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
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