Afolayan Makes Fresh Super Eagles Push, Declares: ‘I’d Love To Play For Nigeria’
Blackburn Rovers forward Dapo Afolayan has renewed his desire to represent Nigeria at senior international level, saying playing for the Super Eagles has been a long-standing ambition.
The 29-year-old London-born attacker, who has Nigerian parents, remains eligible to represent the country despite having made one appearance for England C.
Afolayan’s appearance for England C does not tie him to the Three Lions at senior international level, leaving him eligible for a potential switch to Nigeria.
The versatile forward revealed that he has previously come close to earning a Super Eagles invitation but believes circumstances have repeatedly worked against him.
“I would love to play for Nigeria. It’s always been something I wanted to do since I was a kid,” Afolayan said in an interview with Blackburn Rovers’ official website.
“I have been really close, and timing has been unfortunate in a few cases.
“I was doing well in the Bundesliga, and I was very close to a call-up, and then I stopped playing before the March international break. I ended up not going.
“It’s just one of those things that has not come to pass.”
Strong Start At Blackburn
Afolayan joined Blackburn Rovers from German Bundesliga club St. Pauli in January 2026 and has quickly established himself as an important attacking option at Ewood Park.
His impressive start to the current Championship campaign has seen him register three goals and two assists in eight league appearances.
With his form continuing to attract attention, Afolayan could put himself firmly in contention for another look from the Nigerian national team.
For the forward, however, the motivation goes beyond his current statistics.
After years of waiting for the opportunity, Afolayan remains hopeful that his long-standing dream of wearing the Super Eagles shirt can finally become reality.
The 29-year-old London-born attacker, who has Nigerian parents, remains eligible to represent the country despite having made one appearance for England C.
Afolayan’s appearance for England C does not tie him to the Three Lions at senior international level, leaving him eligible for a potential switch to Nigeria.
The versatile forward revealed that he has previously come close to earning a Super Eagles invitation but believes circumstances have repeatedly worked against him.
“I would love to play for Nigeria. It’s always been something I wanted to do since I was a kid,” Afolayan said in an interview with Blackburn Rovers’ official website.
“I have been really close, and timing has been unfortunate in a few cases.
“I was doing well in the Bundesliga, and I was very close to a call-up, and then I stopped playing before the March international break. I ended up not going.
“It’s just one of those things that has not come to pass.”
Strong Start At Blackburn
Afolayan joined Blackburn Rovers from German Bundesliga club St. Pauli in January 2026 and has quickly established himself as an important attacking option at Ewood Park.
His impressive start to the current Championship campaign has seen him register three goals and two assists in eight league appearances.
With his form continuing to attract attention, Afolayan could put himself firmly in contention for another look from the Nigerian national team.
For the forward, however, the motivation goes beyond his current statistics.
After years of waiting for the opportunity, Afolayan remains hopeful that his long-standing dream of wearing the Super Eagles shirt can finally become reality.
