By Albert Akota
World Football Governing Body, FIFA, has cleared former Swiss U-20 international Steven Archibong Effiong Ukoh to represent Nigeria at senior level.
The versatile midfielder, born on 19th June, 1991 to Nigerian parents in Berne, Switzerland, currently plays for Biel-Bienne FC in the European country.
Ukoh represented Switzerland at U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19 and U-20 levels between 2006 and 2010, but had a change of mind thereafter and opted to wear the green-white-green at senior international level.
His father, Archibong Effiong Ukoh and mother, Helene hail from Itu local government area of Akwa Ibom State.
By the decision of a single judge of the FIFA Players’ Status Committee on 4th December, 2014, Steven Ukoh was cleared to switch his nationality from Switzerland to Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Arsenal FC of England’s youngsters Chuba Akpom and Semi Ajayi have expressed interest in being part of the Super Eagles’ international friendlies against Cote d’Ivoire and Mali in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates next month.
The three –time African champions play Cup of Nations -bound Elephants on January 9 before facing Mali’s Les Aiglons, also heading to Equatorial Guinea, on January 13.
Highly –rated duo Ajayi and Akpom could be called up by Coach Daniel Amokachi for the trip, alongside Steven Ukoh.
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