SAN FRANCISCO, September 21, (THEWILL) – Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr, says he was responsible for convincing former Germany youth captain, Kevin Akpoguma, to play for Nigeria.
THEWILL had earlier reported that Akpoguma who plays for Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, has agreed to play for Nigeria.
Akpoguma has 62 caps for Germany and has played for the German under-16 and under-21 team.
“It was not my job to convince [Kevin] Akpoguma to come and play for Nigeria,” Rohr told BBC Sport.
“I had a good conversation with him and his family while watching several games in Hoffenheim.
“After the matches we met and could talk. I presented our projects and I could speak about the team, about this incredible period in the Super Eagles and my vision for the team.
“He was sold on this and would love to be a part of the team and play in big international competitions like the Africa Cup of Nations or even the World Cup.”
Speaking about the prospects of working with Akpoguma, Rohr stated that Akpoguma who has a German mother and a Nigerian father, will have to wait a while before he joins the Super Eagles.
He said: “We are very happy about the decision of Kevin Akpoguma to switch from Germany to Nigeria.
“Because he played for Germany at youth levels, the process is not finished yet because FIFA must give the authorization.
“He has fulfilled the written request to switch and we only await the good news that he can finally play for us.
“It’s too soon to expect him to play our two friendlies in October, but hopefully for the Nations Cup qualifiers in November.”
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