Nigerian striker renews interest in representing Malawi

Malawi-based Nigerian striker Babatunde Adepoju has once again openly expressed interest in representing the Southern African country’s senior national football team.

The 29-year-old arrived in the Warm Heart of Africa in 2017 to sign for Masters Security FC, leading them to the Carlsberg Cup in 2018.

The towering forward went on to play for Mighty Wanderers in 2019 then jumped ship to rivals FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in 2021.

Adepoju is a cult-hero at Bullets. He scored his 59th goal for the Blantyre giants on his 100th appearance as they edged Ekhaya FC 1-0 at Kamuzu Stadium on July 2, 2024.

Reflecting on his stay in Malawi, the Nigerian told Bullets’ TV it would be an honour to play for the Flames since he has never represented his country of birth.

“It is my wish because Malawi has given a lot. I am a successful footballer in Malawi. I would like to give back to the nation. If an opportunity comes, it is going to benefit myself and the nation,” he said.

The Blantyre-based player explained that he arrived in Lilongwe by default after having first tried his luck in neighbouring Tanzania but he was not successful.

“I left Nigeria for Tanzania but things didn’t work out,” he explained.

“I needed to find an option, so I came to Malawi in August 2017. I went to Blue Eagles FC and I got signed but because of one or two circumstances, I couldn’t play for them until 2018 when I left to join Masters Security FC. That is when I had a good season that made people know who Babatunde is. Eventually, I joined Wanderers where the real journey began.”

Adepoju does not stand a chance of playing for the Super Eagles looking at the depth of talent at their disposal.

The striker has achieved unparalleled success with the Peoples’ Team winning two league titles, FDH Cup and Airtel Top 8 in the process also bagging individual awards notably Golden Boot.

He has caught the attention of Malawi senior national football team selectors more than once, but efforts to earn him dual citizenship have never paid dividends.