Nigeria’s Super Eagles midfielder, Hope Akpan has revealed that the greatest moment of his career was when he dumped hi country of birth, England and committed his international future to Nigeria.
The former Everton player, who was Liverpool, England, became cap-tied to Nigeria when he started Super Eagles’ 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan in Uyo and has played three more games for the national team.
“For me it was one of the proudest moments of my career, it’s not often that you get to play for your country – the country of your parents, the country of your heritage.
“It was massive for me and I really, really, really enjoyed playing for the national team although it wasn’t as many games as I wanted to play.
“Just the experience alone, I’ll be able to hold that as the amazing part of my career and I am really thankful that I got the opportunity to go to Nigeria and play in some beautiful games,” Akpan said.
When asked about his best moment in his football career, the former Bradford City midfielder picked his debut against Sudan as the standout moment of his career, both at international and club level.
“My best moment in football obviously my debut for Nigeria, it was a home game, it was in the state where my father is from, in Uyo.
“It was massive being called Akpan and playing in Uyo. I got a lot of love from family members and people around
the local government. It was really, really an inspiring moment,” Akpan added.
Akpan has been in the international wilderness for more than five years, with his last Super Eagles appearance coming against Uganda in March 2015.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
