Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has reportedly given Tosin Adarabioyo a single condition for him to play for the Nigerian national team.

Adarabioyo has been on the radar of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for many years over a potential switch to represent the Super Eagles.

According to SportsBoom, the Chelsea defender decided to represent Nigeria in August, but there has yet to be any further move after the announcement.

The report added to the long list of the numerous times he had decided to play for Nigeria but later reneged and wanted more time to decide, including before the October international break of 2024.

His decision was further delayed by his move to Chelsea as a free agent in the summer of 2024. The move gave him the possibility of playing for England.

The former Fulham defender is in his second season at Chelsea but has yet to catch the attention of England manager Thomas Tuchel, the only Blues player yet to earn a call-up under the German tactician.

This oversight, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming up in the United States, Mexico, and Canada next year, playing for Nigeria is his only chance of going to the tournament.

Nigeria has yet to qualify for the tournament and faces a playoff next month, but Adarabioyo and other foreign-born stars are circling African countries.

Chelle gives Adarabioyo condition to represent Nigeria

Super Eagles boss Chelle met with the Manchester-born defender during his tour of Europe in February, a month after the NFF had appointed him.

The manager reportedly met Adarabioyo when he was in London and held progressive discussions, but the talks have yet to bear fruit months later.

According to OwnGoal Nigeria, Chelle has reportedly grown weary of waiting for the defender and has issued a strong warning ahead of next month's playoff.

The manager has reportedly told the defender that he must play for the country at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco to stand a chance of being part of the World Cup squad if Nigeria qualifies.

AFCON 2025 runs from December 2025 to January 2026, before which Nigeria would be out or close to securing the World Cup ticket.

With the Super Eagles short in defence with an injury to Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi’s suspension, and captain William Troost-Ekong’s decline, Adarabioyo has a spot to fill, now or never.