Germany-born Nigerian striker Lukas Nmecha has revealed why he chose to represent Germany over Nigeria.
Nmecha was born in Hamburg to a Nigerian father and a German mother before moving to England at the age of seven. As a result, he is eligible to play for any of the three countries.
The 22-year-old represented England at youth level before switching international allegiance to the four-time World Champions.
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He recently received his first call-up by German coach Hansi Flick in the latest international break, and has now explained why he chose the European country.
“I was born here; I just have more of a connection with the German national team,” Nmecha told the Bundesliga media channel.
He also revealed former Germany U-21 coach, now Turkish national team manager, Stefan Kuntz influenced his decision.
“Also, at the time, the coach Stefan Kuntz really convinced me and showed me that there is a path for me.
“I think that has really come to show. You see players like Adeyemi and guys like that, who are managing to get into that first-team squad.
“And doing well at that level. I’ve played with those guys, and I know where I stand in terms of quality compared to those players.”
However, he stated that he plans to visit Nigeria in the future.
“Yeah, my dad has got a lot of family out there. It’s been a really long time since I’ve been there. I think I was seven years old the last time I went.
“But it’s definitely a thing on the bucket list when I do get a good amount of time off. That’ll definitely be somewhere I’ll be going soon.”
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COMMENTS
My pple abeg why is it so easy for players to switch allegiance quickly to other country but to Nigeria it will take ages am beginning to suspect AP
Greed. The love of money make some disown their country. We really haven’t talked about this. Recently was Ugbo and few others. What is clear is, these players don’t really have anyone to displace in the current SE setup
I’m the case of Ugbo, I can’t it was greed when he is eligible for the 3 countries. Most players want to play in the worldcup which is the highest tier of any football competition in the globe so he made a choice and I guess we have to respect it.
I don’t blame anyone who reject participating in anything in that Fulani dominated country,where baboo they work monkey they chop.Moreso,Nigeria football association staff and those who make decision in Kam
Glass house would in their tradition want their palms bent before inviting them how much more giving them an opportunity of securing a shirt.Those who say it was greed remember a labourer deserves his wages.The corruption in the glass house is scary,i wouldn’t want my child to represent the country whose leaders ate half baked and interested in killing and maiming people who are not of their tribal sentimentalists.
All these players playing for motherland! Well I don’t blame them but let’s wait and see where it will end. Thought they said Kareem Adeyemi is a regular in that team but I couldn’t see him even among the substitutes yesterday? It seems this new German national team coach want to be capping these players in other to block them from being call up by their country of origin like that of Southgate without any concrete plan for them.
Would kept as unused after one or two games. History abound.
It is better o…Csn has time irrelevant issues.
Nmecha is there for the money, he knows he will never be in Germany’s plans.
Players don’t necessarily need to displace current squad players but having many quality playersin every position gives the coaches multiple options to pick from and makes a squad much stronger.
They have a better chance of winning a world cup and more valuable playing for these countries over our corrupt Nigerian team. I don’t believe anyone will want to take a step back in life after experiencing a better life abroad. We should be thanking those who choose to rep us despite taking all this into consideration.
Even the ones we have still waiting for callups like Sadiq, Dessers and Awoniyi who are ready anyday to suit for Super Eagles… how much of an opportunity have they gotten? The real deal is Sam Edozie of Man City… though now out injured till 2022!
How can all of them be given opportunity at the same time for national team? We all know it is difficult and impossible. Some people are pushing for those players simply cos they hate the man handling the national team at the moment cos I don’t know why a sane person will be clamouring for every players most especially whenever they hit target in their various clubside and same people will still complain that they did not have a team. Even over there some players has to made way and it’s not all this players that get to play when invited. Adeyemi was in their last team but did you see him near their bench yesterday? if it’s Nigeria now another problem for the gaffer. They will say he doesn’t take risk, he always invite players and doesn’t use them etc. One thing some fans don’t understand is that all these coaches usually have their favourite players. We seen that in Guardiola,Klop,Mourinho etc. As a loyal fans wishing Eagles the very best tomorrow.
If the team is doing well no one will bother the coach after all Westerhof did same to players like Ohenhen, Akpoborire and even Ikpeba who he kept in the team but made sure he never played. No one condemned or call him out because he had a crack team, The late Stephen Keshi of blessed memory shut his critics up when he took a lot of home based players to Afcon in S.A. by winning the cup but same cannot be said of G. Rohr after Five years as Super Eagles coach. No good coach will choose favoritism over Talent/ performance. He is leaving too many good players out of our team
Pls name three home base players that constantly play in d first eleven apart from obobuna. And were are d home base today. Kenneth and obobuna are age mate, were is he today, what of Sunday uba the only Sunday hero. Moses, musa,omeruo, brown, eminike are still active. Let’s stop this lie that home base gave us the 2013 nations cup. Our first eleven, enyama; Kenneth, obobuna, efe, echiechile; Mikel onazeh Sunday/others; moses, brown, emenike. Those that come in as sub include nwankwo, ikechukwu uche. So stop this your, keshi used home base to win nations cup. No home base was mention in the nations cup first eleven, but moses, emenike, Mikel names were there
This is straight forward, non of these guys switching allegiance will choose Nigeria over England,Germany etc if they have the chance to play for these teams, they only choose to play for their motherland when they realize they stand no chance over there, so nothing like “Love for my motherland” Not that i`m blaming them though, its just what it is.
What of d case of desser, moses, ekongo, ebuchi, okoye and others. If u have inferiority complex or u run after money others don’t do that. Name two players that back Nigeria apart from Alabama that have full career. Were is synde of Bayern levercosen, owomelaya, onuha, agbolaho, and others.
Pls smone should tell Gohr to also give Sadiq Oma opportunity, that guy is doing well. Again;let whosoever wants to play for his/her motherland be born out love for his motherland couple with patriotism and not persuasion. Bcos if it by love for his motherland, there will be commitment and sacrifices to wanting to make a name with her. Great Nigerians people….one love
Why begging Rohr to bring in Sadiq ? If he is good enough, the Nation and Rohr should be begging him to play for Nigeria. If one really likes the way he plays his game, one should openly encourage him to strive harder to ply his game in the first Division or possibly move to Newcastle where he could be accessed by every body and in such a situation, the Rohr will be knocking on his door repeatedly. After all, Sadiq is a full blooded Nigerian. l am yet too see who beg for Ejeku who has now sealed his place for Nigeria.