Talented defender Nnamdi Collins is now officially unavailable for selection by the Super Eagles after making his senior debut for Germany in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The 21-year-old, who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga, featured for Germany in their qualifying match against Slovakia on Thursday in Bratislava. That appearance has now permanently tied him to the German national team under FIFA rules.
Born in Germany to a Nigerian father, Collins had been eligible to represent either Germany or Nigeria at the senior level. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had been monitoring him for some time, with hopes of bringing him into the Super Eagles squad in the future.
However, the German Football Association (DFB) acted swiftly to secure his international future by handing him his senior debut in an official competitive match. That single appearance has now sealed his commitment to Germany for the rest of his football career.
Under FIFA regulations, a player with dual nationality can only switch international teams under certain conditions. One of the key rules states that a player can only change allegiance if he has not played more than three senior matches before turning 21 years old, and none of those matches were in a major tournament like the World Cup or continental competitions.
In Nnamdi Collins’ case, he turned 21 on January 10, 2025. His debut for Germany against Slovakia came after that birthday, and it was an official qualifier, not a friendly. Therefore, the appearance cap-ties him to Germany and makes him permanently ineligible to represent Nigeria.
The news has come as a disappointment to many Nigerian football fans and analysts who saw Collins as a promising addition to the Super Eagles’ defence. Standing at 6ft 3in, the young centre-back is known for his strength, speed, and technical ability — qualities that would have been valuable to the national team.
Nnamdi Collins began his career in the youth system at Borussia Dortmund before moving to Eintracht Frankfurt. He has represented Germany at various youth levels, including the U17, U19, and U21 teams, and has long been seen as one of the country’s most promising young defenders.
His rise to senior international football with Germany shows his growing reputation in European football.
