Former NFF president Amaju Melvin Pinnick has shared details about the events that led to Eberechi Eze choosing to play for England instead of Nigeria.
Speaking on ThePlayzone and Dangolo Way podcast, Pinnick said the talks with the Arsenal midfielder and his family had been positive, and progress was well underway.
“Eberechi Eze came, we had a long discussion. I met the father, and we had a long and very meaningful conversation, during which he expressed his agreement,” Pinnick explained. 
He added that documentation had already been prepared and both sides were close to a final decision. “The sister manages him. They came to my flat, we had agreed, put all the documentations and he said we should hold on and that was it. Elections came and I left the NFF.”
Pinnick stressed that Eze’s choice was not due to a lack of affection for Nigeria. “Very positively, Eberechi Eze, trust me, he loves Nigeria, he actually did. I was going through my messages with him at some point.”
Born in England to Nigerian parents, Eze ultimately opted to represent the Three Lions despite Nigeria’s strong interest during Pinnick’s administration.