By our reporter 28.10.2025
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is eyeing Honest Ahanor a player Italian football officials are keen to have in their national team.
Ahanor,17, has impressed at Serie A side Atalanta he joined in the summer from Genoa for €20m. The lad is efficient in his play and positioning in the centre back and could fit into the backline of the Super Eagles that needs to be beefed up with fresh legs.
Atalanta coach Ivan Juric spoke of Ahanor’s prowess during an interview: “He’s really impressed me in recent months. He’s smart, and he’s eager to work and learn. He already had a taste of Serie A last year at Genoa, but here he’s showing incredible maturity for his age. He has physicality, intelligence, and character: he needs to stay focused and keep it up. I have no doubt he’ll continue to grow.”
To this end coach Chelle has urged his teammate Ademola Lookman to have a chat with Ahanor who was born to Nigerian parents in Aversa, Italy. He is not yet an Italian citizen till he turns 18 in February 2026.
Italian coach Genario Gatuso is said to be eager to enlist Ahanor once the law permits and it remains to be seen if Ahanor would till then or pledge his international allegiance to Nigeria.
Underr control...Honest Ahanor and his teammates.