Explained: Why Bukayo Saka is a Nigeria fan & how Arsenal star could've remarkably been playing in Africa Cup of Nations final if he'd chosen different career path

The Gunners star took to social media to toast the Super Eagles' dramatic penalty shootout win over South Africa in the AFCON semi-finals last weekend. But why was the 22-year-old celebrating their victory, which set up a final clash against tournament hosts Ivory Coast on Sunday?

Saka's parents both hail from Nigeria, meaning the Arsenal talisman could have represented the African side over England. Back in 2021, then-19-year-old Saka explained why he chose to represent the Three Lions after playing for them at youth level.

In March 2021, Saka said: "Choosing Nigeria over England would be a tough decision. My whole family has been in England like forever, it would be very strange for me to adapt to an environment that I had never been in since growing up. When I grew up all my documents stated that I am English, hopefully Nigerian people will understand.”

And in 2023, he addressed the matter again: "I will tell you this. I was very close to playing for one of the youth teams in 2019. It was the wish of my father but things happen and you have to live with your decisions. I feel very much Nigerian and nothing can change that."

Saka, who admitted in his teenage years that he was uncertain about which country to represent, received a warm welcome when he visited Nigeria in 2023. The Super Eagles were keen to have the youngster, who has scored 11 goals in 32 England caps, play for the national side but they weren't going to pull out all the stops to lure him to them.

Nigeria will hope to win their fourth AFCON title and their first since 2013 when they take on Ivory Coast, who have won this tournament twice, this weekend. For Saka, he is likely to feature in Arsenal's trip to West Ham on Sunday in the Premier League.