{
  "id": 11272316,
  "title": "Crystal Palace’s Honest Ahanor could still play for Nigeria after leaving Italy camp",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/crystal-palaces-honest-ahanor-could-still-play-for-nigeria-after",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T20:19:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/01/crystal-palaces-honest-ahanor-could-still-play-for-nigeria-after-leaving-italy-camp/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Crystal Palace's Honest Ahanor is a defender who could potentially represent Nigeria despite leaving the Italian national team. Born in Aversa, Italy, Ahanor is eligible to play for Nigeria due to his heritage through his parents. His exclusion from the Italian squad for their upcoming UEFA Nations League match against France ensures he will not become cap-tied to Italy during the 2026 international window. Ahanor currently holds two senior caps for Italy, both earned in summer friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece. To reach the maximum number of senior appearances allowed under FIFA regulations for players under 21, he needs two more matches this month. Under FIFA rules, players can switch international allegiance as long as they have no more than three senior appearances for a national team before turning 21. Ahanor remains eligible to play for Nigeria at the senior level and would only become cap-tied to Italy after his fourth senior appearance for the Azzurri. Another Italian-born Nigerian defender, Brentford's Michael Kayode, is no longer eligible to represent Nigeria following his first appearance for Italy against Turkey on September 28. Crystal Palace's Honest Ahanor stands as a potential Nigerian player despite his departure from the Italian camp.",
  "summary": "Crystal Palace defender, Honest Ahanor, has left the camp of the Italian national team after he was excluded from their squad for their forthcoming UEFA Nations League match against France. Ahanor, who was born in Aversa, Italy, is eligible to represent the Super Eagles through his Nigerian heritage via his parents. His exclusion from the […] Crystal Palace’s Honest Ahanor could still play for…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}