Augsburg Center Back Uduokhai Gives Three Reasons For Choosing Germany Over Nigeria

Published: November 08, 2020

Augsburg center back Felix Uduokhai has received a maiden call-up to Germany's senior team ahead of international matches against Czech Republic, Ukraine and Spain this month.

An ever present in defence for Augsburg in the new season, going the distance in all their seven matches in the Bundesliga, he has flourished into one of the best young players in the German Bundesliga and his form did not go unnoticed by manager Joachim Löw when he announced his roster last week.

Uduokhai was wooed by the Nigeria Football Federation and Gernot Rohr to switch his allegiance to the Super Eagles but he has now made a decision about his international future.

It is all but confirmed that the Nigerian Federation will lock the future of Hoffenheim's Kevin Akpoguma in the coming days, and the German Football Association have responded by calling up Uduokhai to their senior team.

Based on the new FIFA rules on eligibility, Uduokhai will become cap-tied to his country of birth, if handed minutes either against Ukraine or Spain since he is above 21 years.

He explained that he chose Germany over Nigeria because he was born and raised in Germany and previously represented their youth teams.

"My father was born in Nigeria, so I could have imagined playing for Nigeria," Uduokhai told Augsburg's official webpage.

"But I was born in Germany, grew up here and have also played in the German junir national teams. So I'm proud to have this chance in the senior national team now."

Uduokhai said he was delighted to receive his first ever call-up to Germany's senior team and hopes to follow in the footsteps of Ulrich Biesinger, Helmut Haller and André Hahn who all played for Germany during their Augsburg days.

"The invitation to the national team makes me proud. My family and friends and everyone at FCA were really happy for me.

"I am very satisfied with the development at FCA over the past year. When the call came from assistant trainer Marcus Sorg a few days ago, the joy was of course great.

"The national team is a childhood dream for me. There is something very special about playing for the national team. I am therefore looking forward to the coming days.

"It is something special when my name is mentioned in a row with the other Augsburg national players Ulrich Biesinger, Helmut Haller and André Hahn," he concluded.

Uduokhai has played ten games combined for Germany's U19, U20 and U21 teams, scoring one goal in a friendly against England in March 2019.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : fcaugsburg.de

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