Super Eagles and Birmingham City defender Bright Osayi-Samuel has opened up on why he opted to represent Nigeria internationally, citing a deep cultural connection and a strong sense of national pride as key influences.
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The 28-year-old, now a regular in the Super Eagles lineup with 32 caps, explained that his upbringing played a significant role. “I was strongly influenced by my country, with my dad and mum exposing me to Nigerian culture—attending weddings, enjoying the food and everything.
Playing in England, you start to play with players who represent their own countries, and you begin to understand the importance of international football,” he said.
Osayi-Samuel acknowledged that many view representing England as the bigger opportunity, but stressed that the camaraderie and unity within the Nigerian setup is unmatched.
“When it comes to how the team works together and the overall feeling, I don’t think you’d notice that kind of connection if you were playing for England. In Nigeria, everyone is having fun.
Even players who aren’t playing are smiling and excited about the game and training. This is one of the reasons I will always choose Nigeria first,” he added.
He also revealed that his positional switch to right-back was pivotal for his international breakthrough. “It was when I signed with Fenerbahçe that they wanted me to play as a right-back.
At first, I didn’t like it, but over time I started learning more about the position. Then I got the chance to play for Nigeria, and I thought, if this is how I get to represent my country, I’ll take it because I’ve always dreamed of playing for Nigeria,” Osayi-Samuel explained.
Beyond football, representing Nigeria is a source of pride for his family and a way to give back to supporters at home.
“Nigeria is a country that my mum and dad are really proud of, and I’m proud of it too. Tournaments like AFCON give me the chance to give something back. The love and messages I’ve received from people back home have been really amazing,” he said.
Osayi-Samuel made his Super Eagles debut in a high-profile friendly against Portugal and has since cemented his role as a key figure in the national team setup.
