Nigeria’s Super Eagles new boy, Kevin Akpoguma has explained reasons he turned down the chance to represent Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup three years ago.
The Hoffenheim defender, who will likely to make his full debut for the Super Eagles in this evening’s friendly against Tunisia, said he decided not to honour the call up because he wasn’t playing regularly for his Bundesliga club and was battling to overcome serious injuries.
When asked if he would have considered Nigeria if he had been picked by German, the former Germany U-20 captain said he wasn’t ready for any national call up because he was battling injury.
“We are talking about three years ago, this is a different situation, you know three years ago I wasn’t even ready for Nigeria national team because like I said serious injuries, I didn’t play that regularly in the club so there’s no way to go to the national team.
“You have to be very good at your club before you can go to the national team and perform there also, this is the reason I decided not to come to the national team because I’m (not) ready in the club physically and mentally.
“We don’t really need to talk about these questions if Germany would call me or not because I’m now an Eagle and I’m very proud to be here.”
The 25-year-old defender made his debut with the Nigeria national team in a friendly 1-0 loss over Algeria on 9 October 2020.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
