Plymouth Argyle striker Owen Oseni has reportedly made his international intentions crystal clear: he wants to represent Nigeria’s Super Eagles rather than the Republic of Ireland, the country of his birth.
Recent reports from Nigerian football outlets claim the 22-year-old has expressed a firm desire to play for Nigeria and has been in contact with Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle ahead of the 2026 Unity Cup.
With no senior caps for any nation and a valid Nigerian passport, the door is wide open.
The move, if confirmed, would mark another chapter in the growing tug-of-war between European national teams and African federations for second-generation talent.
Born Owen Eric Damilola Oseni on 7 May 2003 in Waterford, Ireland, the forward grew up in the south-east of the country.
He began his football journey locally with Villa FC before progressing through Waterford FC’s youth system via the FAI Player Development programme.
His Nigerian father gives him full eligibility for the Super Eagles, while Ivorian heritage on his mother’s side opens a third option.
Ireland, naturally, has first claim through birthplace. Until now, Oseni has not been capped at any level by any country.
Club Progress Fuels International Interest
Oseni’s senior career started modestly with three League of Ireland First Division appearances for Waterford in 2022.
A move to Derby County in 2023 yielded no first-team minutes, but productive loans at Rushall Olympic (eight goals in 15 National League North games) and especially Gateshead (12 league goals in 24 National League appearances during the first half of 2024-25) showcased his clinical finishing and physical presence.
A £120,000 transfer to Scottish Premiership side St Mirren in January 2025 followed, before Plymouth Argyle snapped him up on a two-year deal in June 2025.
At Home Park, the 6ft 1in striker has exploded. This 2025-26 League One season he has made 28 appearances (14 starts), scoring nine goals and providing three assists for a total of 15 goal involvements in 32 matches across all competitions.
He netted twice in a 3-0 win at Barnsley on 6 April 2026 and recently reached double figures in goals for the campaign. Plymouth boss Tom Cleverley has praised the attacking trio of Oseni, Lorent Tolaj and Bim Pepple, all hitting double digits despite limited prior experience at this level.
Oseni’s form has not gone unnoticed. Celtic, Racing Genk and several Championship clubs are monitoring the Waterford native, adding extra urgency to his international decision.
Eligibility and the Reports: Preference for Super Eagles
According to multiple Nigerian sources, Oseni has positioned himself firmly in favour of Nigeria. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is described as the clear frontrunner, with no administrative hurdles to a call-up.
The reports coincide with Plymouth’s push for the League One play-offs and come just weeks after Oseni’s latest goal-scoring heroics. While no direct quote from the player has surfaced publicly and the FAI has not commented, the momentum appears to favour the Super Eagles.
The Wider Tug-of-War: Ireland vs Second-Generation African Talent
Oseni’s potential switch highlights a fascinating trend in modern international football. The Republic of Ireland has aggressively recruited players of African heritage in recent years, reaping significant rewards.
Chiedozie Ogbene, who was born in Lagos but raised in Cork, became the first African-born player to represent Ireland at senior level and has been a dynamic winger.
Adam Idah, Cork-born to a Nigerian father, is now a regular squad member for Norwich and Ireland. Defender Andrew Omobamidele (Nigerian parents) and goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu have also featured prominently in recent squads.
Under former manager Stephen Kenny and continuing into the current era, the FAI has embraced this diversity, turning potential “tug-of-war” cases into national-team strengths.
Yet African federations, Nigeria chief among them, are now fighting back harder for diaspora stars who hold dual or triple eligibility. Oseni joins a growing list of players who must weigh cultural ties, playing opportunities and career trajectory.
What Happens Next?
For Plymouth Argyle, Oseni remains fully focused on club matters as they chase promotion. A Nigeria call-up could come as early as the Unity Cup in 2026, giving him the chance to debut alongside established Super Eagles attackers.
For the FAI, losing another homegrown talent with African roots would sting, especially after successfully integrating Ogbene, Idah and others.
Owen Oseni’s story is far from over. At just 22, the Waterford-born striker has already shown he can score goals at multiple levels.
Whether he lines up in green or green-and-white next could define the next phase of his career, and signal how fiercely European and African nations will continue to compete for the next generation of dual-eligible stars.
