Jordan Torunarigha’s decision to snub overtures by Nigeria to commit his International future to the country hasn’t gone down well with Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr, who expressed huge disappointment in the Hertha Berlin defender’s resolve to choose Germany.
Rohr met with the 19 year old Germany U21 international last year and held talks with him over switching allegiance to Nigeria since he is qualified to represent the West African nation through his father.
However Torunarigha whose father Ojokojo played for Nigeria league side Shooting Stars of Ibadan turned down the approach from Nigeria, insisting on progressing through the ranks with Germany instead of representing Nigeria at the World Cup in June.
”We would have liked to take him ( Torunarigha) to the World Cup if he had agreed to switch allegiance to Nigeria. I would have needed his kind of player in my squad.” Rohr said.
Rohr however extolled the qualities of Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun who like Torunarigha is also eligible for Germany but opted for Nigeria, where he has grown into one of the stalwart of the team ahead of their campaign at the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
”Leon is one of my important players in the defence. He is fast and brings German mentality. His partnership with William Troost-Ekong has been very formidable.”