Ifeanyi Udeze remains a household name in Nigerian football, having played to the highest level with the national team, the Super Eagles, as a left fullback.

Udeze spoke to brila.net today on the issues regarding Tammy Abraham’s England call-up and the effects on the young striker’s career and how he snubbed invitations to Greece in order to play for Nigeria.

“I think its all about loyalty and interest when a player plays well in Europe, there are clear chances that those countries will try to lure you”, Udeze told brila.net

“We have examples, you can remember Emmanuel Olisadebe, He played for Poland after his performances for Wisla Krakow”, And in 1997, when I was in Kavala FC, where I started my professional football career, Greece invited me and I was a bit confused, because they can decide they don’t want me again” Greece isn’t my fatherland.

“When Bonfrere Jo invited me to the Olympics team in 2000, I didn’t turn up because of the Greece offer which I later turned down in respect and honour to play for my fatherland in the Korea/Japan FIFA world cup.

According to the former AEK Athens of Greece defender, luring players to play for countries is not a new thing, but our young guys out there should heed to advise from veterans and experienced professionals, so they won’t end up in regrets.

Udeze, however, wishes Tammy Abraham the best as he turns up for the senior English National team in the coming fixtures.

“I’m sure he will keep his place with England if he is in top form for his club” Just like Dele Alli, he’s doing well with Spurs and he has remained relevant in the England set-up”.

The former West Bromwich Albion and PAOK Thessaloniki defender later racked up as much as 35 caps for the Super Eagles of Nigeria as injury forced him out of the game in 2006.