TSG Hoffeinhem of Germany striker, Kevin Akpoguma is relishing his maiden outing in the Nigerian national team and confessed that he is enjoying a great atmosphere in the Super Eagles’ camp, megasportsarena.com reports.
Although he had in the past also witnessed glorious moments with Germany’s national teams, and even went on to camp their youth squad at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand, Akpoguma insists the feeling he is enjoying with Nigeria’s squad is unprecedented.
The 25-year-old full-back-cum-central defender expressed his delight after making his first appearance for the Eagles, with which has committed his international future depite being born in Germany was born to a German mother and a Nigerian father which makes him eligible to represent both countries.
He previously starred for Germany at youth level before committing his international future to the West Africans after meeting with Eagles’ coach, Gernot Rohr and was subsequently invited to the Nigeria camp, preparing for a friendly against the Desert Foxes as he awaited his clearance from FIFA
The defender got the green light to represent the three-time African champions before their game against Algeria in Austria on Friday and he was accorded his first Super Eagles appearance in the encounter, replacing Twente defender Tyronne Ebuehi after the hour mark.
The centre-back gave a good account of himself but his effort was not enough to help the West African country avoid defeat, which he now hopes to help the three-time African champions correct intheir next game against Tunisia on Tuesday.
Akpoguma, who also expressed his joy to make his debut for Nigeria and looks forward to better days with the Eagles, said: “I’m very impressed and proud to be a Nigerian player fully. I’m looking forward to the best games already.
“We lost [against Algeria] but we tried our best to get a point from the game because in the last 10 minutes we pressured them well but we, however, failed to get the needed equalizer.
“It’s just a test game and I am sure the coaches have seen what we can improve on. So, now we are looking forward to our next game and most importantly our AFCON qualifiers next month.”
