Nigeria are in danger of losing promising left-winger Kazeem Olaigbe to Belgium ahead of the upcoming international break.
With the FIFA international break in June fast approaching, the Belgian national team is looking to lock promising dual-national star, Kazeem Olaigbe.
The 22-year-old is expected to make Belgium preliminary squad as the European country seeks to lock the Stade Rennais star. Nigeria now risk losing the Brussels-born winger, who is in the books of the French club.
“You will see a dual-national player on the preliminary list—not two, because the other doesn’t yet have a Belgian passport,” Belgium coach Rudi Garcia has hinted.
Born in 2003 and developed at Anderlecht, Olaigbe has featured at youth level for Belgium up to U21, but is also eligible to represent Nigeria through his parents.
He previously played for Southampton and Cercle Brugge, and is now under contract at Rennes until 2029.
The Belgian FA appears eager to avoid a repeat of the Chemsdine Talbi case, where a top talent slipped through their grasp.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s coaching staff—reportedly led by Eric Chelle—is actively pursuing Olaigbe for their 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Olaigbe must make a crucial international choice that might shape his senior international future for years to come as both federations step up their efforts.
