Hoffenheim defender Kevin Akpoguma has revealed the potential in the Nigeria national team swayed him to switch his allegiance away from Germany.
The defender, born to a German mother and a Nigerian father, has featured in a number of games for Germany at youth level.
He made the affirmation a few days after Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr revealed how he had convinced the centre-back to represent the three-time African champions.
“I decided for Nigeria because I see a lot of potential in the team, in the country,” Akpoguma told the Super Eagles media team in an Instagram conversation.
“We have top players like Sammy [Chukwueze], Victor [Osimhen], Wilfred Ndidi, [Alex] Iwobi – they are top players, they are playing in top leagues.
“If you put all of them together you’ll have a great team, for me, it is a big honour to play with these guys.
“It’s not like you are German-born and want to play for Nigeria, everything is going automatically, I have to prove myself on the pitch.
“It’s not like you just come from Europe and you are directly in the side, you have to train hard to be successful as a team. That’s what I like about the team and that’s why I decided to play for my fatherland.”