Tammy Abraham, the AC Milan striker who has represented England internationally, recently spoke about his desire to reconnect with his Nigerian roots.
The 27 year old former Chelsea forward who just celebrated his birthday some days back was born Kevin Oghenetega Tamaraebi Bakumo-Abraham in London to Nigerian parents.
Although he previously turned down an opportunity to play for Nigeria, opting instead to represent England, Abraham has now hinted at a potential return to Nigeria in a personal sense.
In a recent interview, he shared how he grew up in a Nigerian cultural environment, with Nigerian friends and his mother often cooking traditional dishes.
He expressed a hope to visit Nigeria soon, reflecting on his connection to the country despite his football commitments to England.
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This comes years after Abraham famously declined Nigeria’s invitation to switch national allegiances, committing to England, where he has earned several caps.
In the past, despite interest from the Nigerian Football Federation, Abraham made it clear that he was committed to playing for England.
He initially flirted with the idea of representing Nigeria due to his Nigerian heritage and pressure from the NFF. Still, ultimately, he chose England and has consistently stated that he sees his international future with them.
He played for England after turning down Nigeria’s offers, saying that his focus was entirely on securing his place in the England squad
However, his statements now indicate that Nigeria holds a special place in his life, even if it’s not through football representation.
His recent comments about wanting to return to his Nigerian roots have sparked considerable reactions among Nigerians on Social media.
Many fans recall the moment in 2017 when Abraham chose to represent England over Nigeria, despite the Nigeria Football Federation’s efforts to secure him for the Super Eagles.
Now, with his statement expressing a desire to reconnect with his Nigerian heritage, fans have mixed feelings.
Some view it as a welcome development, praising his willingness to embrace his roots, while others are skeptical, recalling his earlier rejection of Nigeria’s national team offer.
Some fans are open to the possibility of him playing for Nigeria if he officially switches allegiance, especially as he remains a talented player despite being out of favor with the English national team.
Meanwhile, a portion of the football community feels it may be too late, considering his past decision to prioritize England over Nigeria.
Abraham’s statement about his mother cooking Nigerian dishes and his familiarity with the culture is seen as a soft attempt to bridge the gap with Nigerian fans, but it remains to be seen how this will evolve, especially if the conversation turns to a potential national team switch.
