Former NFF President Amaju Pinnick has expressed regret over Tammy Abraham’s choice to represent England instead of Nigeria at international level.
Abraham, who was eligible to play for Nigeria, eventually earned 11 caps and scored three goals for the Three Lions. However, he has not featured for England since June 2022 — a situation Pinnick believes might have been different had the striker committed to the Super Eagles.
According to Pinnick, talks with Abraham were well advanced before the player switched his decision. 
“Tammy Abraham, we sat together and had agreed that he would play for Nigeria, but at the last moment he changed his decision,” Pinnick said.
He added that the outcome remains a personal regret, noting his close relationship with Abraham’s family.
“Now he’s 28 and has returned to Aston Villa, but I can tell you that I regret it. I spoke to his father — we grew up together,” he explained.
Pinnick also suggested that Abraham could have enjoyed a longer international career with Nigeria, pointing to players who struggled for appearances with England.
“He would have played for Nigeria. Agbonlahor played three games and that was it,” he noted.
With Abraham’s England future currently uncertain, Nigeria continues to attract more foreign-born talents choosing to represent the Super Eagles.