Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel has opened up about a series of private conversations with his childhood friend and current Arsenal star, Eberechi Eze, regarding the Nigerian national team. During a recent interview with OmaSportsTV, the Birmingham City right-back detailed how Eze reached out to him during Nigeria’s successful 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Morocco. Osayi-Samuel, who played a central role in securing the bronze medal for Nigeria, noted that Eze showed a genuine curiosity about the internal culture and spirit of the Super Eagles.
The dual-nationality debate surrounding Eze had been a major talking point in Nigerian football for years. Despite significant efforts from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and a high-profile meeting with former NFF President Amaju Pinnick, the creative midfielder eventually committed his international future to England. Osayi-Samuel, however, revealed that Eze’s interest remained active enough for him to seek firsthand insights into the squad’s environment during their run in Morocco.
“Sure, even Eze, one of my close friends who played with me since we were young,” he told OmaSportsTV, adding: “we had a phone call, and the question he asked was something like, ‘How is the camp?’”
The defender interpreted this unexpected inquiry as a sign that Eze still values his heritage and follows the team’s progress closely. He highlighted that the vibrant atmosphere seen on social media and the passionate support of the Nigerian public clearly resonated with the Arsenal man. According to Osayi-Samuel, the unique bond and football-centric energy within the Super Eagles camp remain a major draw for players of Nigerian descent across the globe.
“The fact that he asked me that out of the blues really showed that he’s interested in seeing what’s going on [in Nigeria]. You can see everywhere on social media how the atmosphere is and how everyone is really into football,” he observed.
While Eze has already earned 16 caps and scored three goals for the Three Lions, Osayi-Samuel admits he still holds a “what could have been” sentiment regarding his friend’s choice. He respects Eze’s professional decision to play for England but maintains that he would still champion the Nigerian cause if given another opportunity to influence the outcome.
“Of course, he picked England, but if it were a different life, I would tell him again, exactly the same thing now—Nigeria comes first,” the defender concluded.
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