Xabi Alonso Believes Nathan Tella Is Great Addition To The Super Eagles

Coach Xabi Alonso of Bayer Leverkusen believes his winger Nathan Tella, is a great addition to the Super Eagles of Nigeria squad.

Nathan Tella could make his debut for the Super Eagles at 5 p.m. in Uyo on Thursday against Lesotho as the Eagles begin their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.

The 24-year-old English-born Nigerian winger could also play against Zimbabwe in the second 2026 World Cup qualification match on Sunday, November 19.

Coach Xabi Alonso believes that the addition of Nathan Tella to the current Super Eagles squad will be a great asset to the three-time African champions.

“Nathan (Tella) is a player that can just do the right thing, be in the right place,” Alonso said.

“He (Tella) has the quality to be in the box and makes the right runs.

“In Nigeria, they have great strikers, and maybe they could use good wingers. He’s a really nice guy with a strong mentality, he has a great attitude.”

Since Nathan Tella joined Bayer Leverkusen from Southampton in August 2023 for a transfer fee worth €23.30 million, the Nigerian winger has scored three goals and provided one assist in 14 games in all competitions.

His speed, dribbling, and delivery into dangerous areas should theoretically give the Eagles an extra attacking dimension.

In reaction to his first Super Eagles’ call-up, Tella who is born in England to Nigerian parents expressed how excited he is to finally have the opportunity of playing for his ancestral home.

“I’m really happy about this first chance to play for my country. That was one of the goals I had set myself for this season,” Tella told German daily Kicker.

“I was surprised. I found out about the nomination after the game in Baku. I was pretty upset with how I played.

“Receiving such good news gave me a lot of self-confidence for the game (against Union Berlin). I haven’t shown my best performance yet. I can still learn a lot”.