TSG 1899 Hoffenheim defender, Kevin Akpoguma (middle in the above picture, with Leon Balogun and Cyriel Dessers), may make his international debut for Nigeria in Friday’s international friendly game against Algeria at the Worthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt, Austria.
Akpoguma who represented Germany in age-grade competitions, precisely at the U-16 through U-21 categories, recently announced his intention to switch allegiance and represent Nigeria at senior international level. And his application has been approved by FIFA.
He was captain of the Germany’s U-20 team that reached the quarter- finals of the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand, and led the Germans to defeat Nigeria’s Flying Eagles 1-0 in the Round of 16, but lost 4-3 on penalties to Mali in the quarter-finals (after 1-1 extra time scoreline).
The 25-year old arrived the Super Eagles Hotel Die Zeit Austria camp on Tuesday to familiarize himself with the Nigeria set-up and bond with other players, and that could go further with coach Gernot Rohr ready to feature him against the Desert Foxes.
NFF President , Amaju Pinnick, in his recent Twitter post, revealed his happiness that Akpoguma has been licenced by FIFA to start representing Nigeria at senior international level, ‘with immediate effect’.
“…I’m extremely happy to announce that @FIFAcom has just granted Hoffenheim defender and former German U-20 national team skipper Kevin Ufuoma Akpoguma permission to make his switch to Nigeria with immediate effect…” Pinnick tweeted on Monday night.
The centre-back who made 18 league appearances for the Kraichgauer last season has made three league appearances for Hoffenheim this season.
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