Oliseh fails to convince Jordon Ibe

Jordon Ibe

Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has failed to convince Liverpool forward Jordon Ibe to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria.

Ibe, who was born in London to Nigerian parents, has represented England at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 level.

After his predecessor Stephen Keshi failed in his bid to get the 19-year-old to   commit his international future to the Eagles, Oliseh made a personal approach to try to persuade the winger to choose Nigeria over England, as the teenager is still eligible to play for Nigeria at the senior level.

But Oliseh gave up on the explosive forward after he opted for England.

“Jordon Ibe’s family informed me by a telephone call that he was giving priority to an England call-up. We wish them well,” Oliseh wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

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Nigeria have lost another talented player in Ibe to Europe after the likes of Bayern Munich defender David Alaba and   Schalke 04 midfielder Sidney Sam opted to represent Austria and Germany respectively.

Meanwhile, England manager Roy Hodgson insists Ibe will only be considered for a place in the Three Lions if he performs well over the next few weeks.

“He is someone we have been looking at,” Hodgson was quoted by This Is Anfield on Sunday.

“I want Jordon to fight for his place in the team, like everyone else, but he is certainly a player we like very much, one who we have our eyes on and no (it’s) far from impossible that he gets called up in one of the next games.”

“Many years ago Stevie (Gerrard) mentioned Jordon Ibe to me,” Hodgson said. “He said: ‘We have got this young lad, he is something special.’ He had the same feeling about Raheem (Sterling).

“We must be careful. People take their time. There is competition in his place.

“If he wants to break into our team he will have to keep doing well for Liverpool and maybe keep doing well for the Under-21s and wait his chance. But if you are asking me does he have the potential and ability? Absolutely, 100 per cent.”