Chukwueze, Shoretire divide football fans ahead Europa League final

As Manchester United gets set to battle Villarreal FC in Wednesday’s Europa League final, football fans in Nigeria have taken to their various social media handles to talk about the match which will see two Nigerians each playing for the opposing sides.

The fierce debate currently raging on social media was triggered shortly after Super Eagles duo of Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho both helped Leicester City to their first English FA Cup triumph over Chelsea a fortnight ago, which was also followed up by Asisat Oshoala’s victory with Barcelona Women FC who also defeated Chelsea to lift the female version of the Champions League.

This time, for the Europa League final, Super Eagles winger, Samuel Chukwueze will be hoping to help his team land their first Europa League trophy, while Manchester United teenage star, Shola Shoretire will also hope to get his first winners to medal with the English giants.

Chukwueze has made his mark for both club and country, and he was instrumental in Nigeria’s third-place bronze trophy in the just concluded 2019 AFCON, which was held in Egypt.

But Shoretire, on the other hand, is just a teenager who is yet to make an appearance for any country of which England and Nigeria are the countries he eligible to play for.

Football frenzy fans have already taken sides wishing their countrymen all the best. Most of the fans say Shola Shoretire has not made an appearance for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. So he is not yet a complete Nigerian player, while others are saying once a Nigerian, always a Nigerian.

Chukwueze performed well in their first leg of the quarter-finals, which was against Arsenal. They won 2-1 before playing a goalless draw in the return leg to give them the final ticket.

It is Manchester United’s first final under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Unai Emery, the former Arsenal manager. The final will be played on the 26th of this month which just a week a few days from now.

@AustineAwurum The Lord that did it for her will also do it for #Chukwueze

@PoojaMedia This is how we are supporting Samuel Chukwueze against Man Utd. Nigerians to the world

@onichaAdo Shola Shoretire no be Nigerian again?

@Emmy2fly93 Mumu he’s English by birth and has never stepped foot into Naija

@BarcaPrincipal Who noticed how Man United fans are trying to force the Shola Shoretire agenda of being a Nigerian??? Shola doesn’t play for Naija, Chukwueze does, Shola doesn’t play regularly, Chukwueze does, Shola won’t fly the Nigerian flag, Chukwueze will. Villareal for Europa.

@vheek_thor Shola or no Shola….. Man united for Europa champions come 26th of May…. #Chukwueze no vex but e get why

@fikayo as a Man United fan I will definitely support my player, Shoretire to win the Europa League. This is not a matter of having Nigerian affiliation again.

@dave Shola P all the way against Chukwueze. What’s my business with supporting my Nigerian player. Shoretire for Europa.

@sampe I am simply rooting for Shoretire because he has a Nigerian background as well.

@IcekidCairo God of #chukwueze will do it for Villarreal

@Iam_TIMI Same way every Nigerian should support Villarreal in the Europa League final. For our brother #chukwueze

@josites I will be gladly rooting for #Chukwueze to win the Europa League.

@Kaycee_Bishop Congratulations to #Iheanacho and #Ndidi on their victory, #Chukwueze is next.

@shola_awe #wizkid #Chukwueze Just so you know, FOCUS itself is a FULL COURSE.