Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has revealed that Aston Villa’s latest signing was keen to play for Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Amaju Pinnick has revealed that striker Tammy Abraham had initially committed to representing the Super Eagles before ultimately choosing to play for England.
Abraham, who recently returned to the Premier League by signing for Aston Villa from AS Roma, was eligible to play for Nigeria through his father.
Despite significant efforts from the NFF, the London-born forward committed his international future to England, earning his first competitive cap in a European Championship qualifier against the Czech Republic.
Pinnick disclosed that he had held advanced discussions with Abraham, believing a deal was in place for the striker to switch his allegiance.
The former NFF boss had hoped his close relationship with Abraham’s father would help secure the player’s commitment, but the forward had a last-minute change of heart.
“Tammy Abraham, we sat like this,” Pinnick stated on ThePlayzone and Dangolo Way podcast.
“We had agreed that he was going to come and play, but at the last minute he changed his mind.”
Reflecting on the NFF’s recruitment of foreign-born players, Pinnick highlighted the long-term benefits of playing for a national team, using Alex Iwobi as an example.
“Iwobi is playing for the Super Eagles today. I know the role we played,” he said.
“If Iwobi had played for England, he would have stopped playing for England like five or six years ago. If your football club does not help you, your national team helps you. Look at his display in the last Africa Cup of Nations.”
Pinnick expressed his regret over Abraham’s decision, suggesting the striker’s career might have followed a different trajectory had he chosen Nigeria. He drew a parallel with former Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor, whose England career was brief.
“Now he’s 28 and has gone back to Aston Villa, but I can tell you that I regret it,” Pinnick added. “I speak to his father—we grew up together. He would have played for Nigeria. Agbonlahor played three games and that was it.”
Abraham has made 11 appearances for the Three Lions, scoring three goals. However, he has not been called up to the national team since a UEFA Nations League match against Italy in June 2022.
