Kevin Akpoguma is keen to learn the Nigeria national anthem ahead of Friday’s friendly against the Desert Foxes of Algeria, reports Completesports.com.
The Hoffenheim of Germany defender is expected to make his debut against the North Africans at the Worthersee Stadium on Friday after he was cleared by FIFA to represent the three-time African champions.
“I will learn the national anthem. Firstly, I have to learn the new song I will sing for the players because every new player has to sing for the older players. But I will learn the national anthem for Friday,”Akpoguma stated in an Instagram chat with the Super Eagles official Twitter handle.
The 25-year-old represented Germany at youth level before deciding to switch allegiance.
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The versatile defender stated that he made the switch because of the quality of players in the team.
“I decided to play for Nigeria because I saw a lot of potential in the country. We have top players like Victor Osimhen, Samuel Kalu, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi. These are top players that are playing in top leagues and if you put all of them together you’re going to have a great team,”Akpoguma added.
” For me it’s a big honour to play with these guys. It’s not because I was born in Germany I will just walk into the team. I have to work hard and prove myself on the pitch. You can’t just walk into the team because you’re coming from Europe.
“You have to train hard, and that is what I like about the team. I am really happy I decided to play for my fatherland. As a footballer, it is always a dream to play for your national team.
“I played for the German youth teams and now I play for Nigeria. Every player wants to play in big tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations, European Championships and the World Cup. I think this is a very huge honour and is good to have those experiences to tell your kids, how those competitions were.”
By Adeboye Amosu
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COMMENTS
I like this guy
Natural wisdom cannot be hidden. It radiates and glitters for all to see. His name sounds like a warrior; not like the inferior chaps who anglicise their names to completely cut themselves off from Nigeria.
I bow for you, compatriot.
This guy looks so serious minded..
This is a massive message to other German born Nigerians.. If an under 20 German captain, played in all the youth sides with distinction that play for Nigeria, who is the rest.. Expect more to follow
which Tv will the match be brodcast on?
Will the match tomorrow be live on tv??
nice one my brother,our national anthem in Nigeria is very interesting. God will help you as you want to serve your father’s land with love, strength and faith as a football player.But is a pity that our political leaders are not follow d content of d National Anthem compare to Germany.Pls kindly bear with us in case u come across any forms of mismanagement in team. I believe Coach G.Rohr will tell u more story about d way we reason in Africa at large.
GOD BLESS SUPER EAGLE OF NIGERIA
GOD REMOVE BAD LEADERS IN NIGERIA
Akpoguma-like Balogun. Very much the younger Balogun albeit a little bit more rugged. To me,he was just the reason our U-20 lost against that German u-20 team he captained. Welcome home Akpoguma, you are a proper Nigerian like every other. God bless.
Rubbish. We know how fake you are. You saw your facing a nose dive and decided to use Nigeria as a saving grace. If you like learn how to eat Nigerian food. We know your heart still lies with Germany. so don’t come here and be deceiving us. When they tried to recruit you to the under 20 back then, and you bluntly refused because you were going to be made the captain of the German under 20. So because players with similar dilema as you are plying there trade for us you decided to jump ship. Nonsesne
@Nathan broda man. Easy man, easy. Please what have you got to say about our home grown talents, that are everyday, abandoning our local league to honour foreign leagues,thus depriving the local league of quality football. Do you call that patriotism. Or you think this patriotism thing is only about national team? So who is more patriotic now? One leaving a comfort zone to serve while another running away from truly serving to that comfort zone? WE HAVE TO BE HONEST BROTHERLY.
When we have a faulty system, and we have those who know nothing about football administration run the league, what do you think the outcome would be. Do you think the current NFF care about our league, don’t think so. Other leagues are resuming and putting things in place, but we are still dragging our feet. I read here an article written by Mr segun odegbami when he was consulted with some former established football administrator on league. the article laid doen all that was required, and he went on to say with the plans laid out, our local players have no reason to venture to Europe but other players to come down and play in Nigeria. When this recommendation was submitted, guess what it was abandoned. If you have time please take a look at it.
@glory, this is the article i made reference to
https://www.completesports.com/odegbami-sport-slavery-for-local-athletes-in-nigeria-2/
@Nathan lies, all you are saying are lies, Akpoguma reached out to us first when he was under 17 but Nigeria snubbed and ignored him. it was when Germany invited him that Nigeria started running helter skitter, making making efforts and showing interest to invite him, which was rather too late. if it was you what will you do? No body should blame this patriotic Nigerian. Akpoguma welcome home brother we are blessed to have you.
@king please who is lying, he categorically said he never appealed to play for the under 17. Please do some research before coming here to make noise.