Osayi-Samuel Explains Why Playing for Nigeria Tops England

Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel has opened up on why representing Nigeria holds greater meaning for him than playing for England.

Eligible to feature for both nations, the Birmingham City right-back made his debut for the three-time African champions in November 2022 and has since become a regular in the squad.

In an interview with OmaSportsTV, Osayi-Samuel contrasted the camaraderie in the Nigerian camp with what he believes is missing in the England setup, where his friend Eberechi Eze currently plays.

‘When it comes to playing football, some people might think playing for England is better, but you don’t experience the other side of it. 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,’ he said.

He pointed to the joyful energy among Nigerian players as a defining factor.

‘Of course, football comes first. See Fulham, the way Bassey, Alex, and Samuel laugh and have fun together comes from the team’s energy and how much they love being part of it. I can tell that every single day they are having a great time. When you get to the Nigeria setup, that’s exactly how it is, everyone is having fun. You never see any bad feelings; even the 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.’

The 28-year-old also revealed the influence of his parents in shaping his decision.

‘My friends have also asked me the same question. For me, because I was so 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 means you start to play with players who represent their own countries, and you start to understand the importance of playing for England. But for me, Nigeria was always the first choice.’

Osayi-Samuel’s reflections highlight the deep cultural and emotional ties that guided his choice, underscoring the unique bond within the Super Eagles camp that continues to inspire his commitment to the national team.