Honest Ahanor avoids Italy cap-tie as Nigeria option remains open

Crystal Palace defender Honest Ahanor has been left out of Italy’s squad for their UEFA Nations League meeting with France, keeping his eligibility to represent Nigeria intact.

Ahanor, who was born in Aversa to Nigerian parents, was among nine players omitted from Italy’s travelling squad for the clash in Saint-Denis, according to AllNigeriaSoccer.com.

The defender, who is on loan at Crystal Palace from Atalanta, has already made two senior appearances for Italy. Both came during summer friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece.

His omission means Ahanor will not make a fourth senior appearance for the Azzurri during the October 2026 international window, leaving the door open for a potential switch of allegiance to Nigeria.

Fourth appearance remains key

Under FIFA’s eligibility rules, players can change their international allegiance if they have made no more than three senior appearances for a national team before turning 21.

Ahanor therefore needed to make two further appearances this month to reach the maximum number of senior matches allowed without becoming permanently tied to Italy.

His current tally of two caps means he remains eligible to represent the Super Eagles at senior level.

Ahanor would become cap-tied to Italy if he makes a fourth senior appearance for the European country.

His exclusion from the squad travelling to France therefore preserves Nigeria’s opportunity to potentially secure his services in the future.

The 19-year-old has emerged as one of the young defenders eligible to represent Nigeria through his parentage, although he has so far featured for Italy at youth and senior levels.

Kayode no longer available to Nigeria

Ahanor’s situation contrasts with that of another Italian-born defender of Nigerian descent, Brentford’s Michael Kayode.

Kayode is no longer eligible to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria after making his competitive debut for Italy in their 4-1 victory over Turkey on September 28.

Unlike Ahanor’s two senior friendly appearances, Kayode’s competitive appearance means he has exhausted the conditions required to remain eligible for a change of association under FIFA’s rules.

For Ahanor, however, the situation remains different.

His latest omission keeps his senior international future undecided, with Nigeria still an option as he continues his development at club level.