Bangladesh head coach Jamie Day has confirmed that he will consider Nigeria-born striker Eleta Kingsley for the national team in the future.
Eleta, who represents Basundhara Kings in the Bangladesh Premier League, received his Bangladeshi passport on Wednesday, making him eligible to play for Bangladesh.
Talking to The Business Post, Day confirmed that if Eleta performs in the league, he will be considered for the national team. But Day believes that there is some paperwork to be done yet, just like the case of Tariq Kazi, who recently featured for Bangladesh after growing up and playing age level football in Finland.
“I think there is more paperwork left to be completed before he can play for Bangladesh even though he has a passport. We had the same issues with Tariq. But if he (Eleta) is fit and playing regularly, then, yes, we would consider him,” said Day.
Even though Day is going to consider Eleta for the red and greens, he believes that this cannot be a long-term solution.
“Of course, in the short-term, it would help but he doesn't solve the problem for the long-term and the bigger picture. Ultimately, we need to produce our own local talent, not rely on foreign-based players.”
Bangladesh Football Federation General Secretary Abu Nayem Shohag also suggested that they have no issues with Eleta playing for Bangladesh if he performs in the domestic arena.
“If he performs in the league and coaching staff think that he can help the team, then he will be called up. Bangladesh government has already provided him with citizenship. Now we will complete some paperwork with FIFA so that he faces no difficulties in representing Bangladesh,” said Shohag.
Bangladesh recently lost all three of their World Cup qualifiers in Qatar to finish fifth in their respective group, but ensured a place in the qualification round of Asian Cup 2023.
The Asian Football Confederation handed three fifth placed teams a place in Asian Cup 2023 qualification round among eight groups.
