“My Mother Is Nigerian” – Red Bull Salzburg Loanee Confirms Eligibility For Super Eagles

Lawrence Agyekum, currently on loan from Red Bull Salzburg, has announced that he is eligible to represent Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles.

The 20-year-old midfielder, who joined Belgian club Cercle Brugge this summer in search of more first-team playing time, is a product of the West African Football Academy.

After moving to Red Bull Salzburg in 2022, Agyekum has participated in four competitive matches for the Austrian club and made 49 appearances for FC Liefering, Salzburg’s feeder team. Born in Ghana, he confirmed that his eligibility to play for Nigeria comes through his Nigerian mother.

Since Agyekum has not yet played for any national team at the international level, he does not need to request a change of association to represent either the Super Eagles or the Black Stars. In an interview with Owngoal Nigeria, Agyekum said, “My father is from Ghana, but my mother is Nigerian. I can play for both nations. That’s something people don’t know about me, and if the chance to play for the Super Eagles comes, I won’t say no.”

Agyekum hopes both Ghana and Nigeria qualify for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 World Cup. He noted that while the Black Stars are performing well in the World Cup qualifiers, they are struggling with AFCON qualification. In contrast, the Super Eagles are in a better position for AFCON.

“I have love for both countries and want to see them do well. Ghana hasn’t had the best results in AFCON qualifiers, but they’re doing well in the World Cup qualifiers. For Nigeria, it’s the reverse. I follow both closely,” Agyekum added.

Interestingly, several Ghanaians, including former Leventis United defenders Leotis Boateng and John Benson, as well as 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner Orlando John, have chosen to play for the Super Eagles instead of the Black Stars.