Kevin Akpoguma Another foreign-born player has rejected Nigeria

Akpoguma has turned down the opportunity to play for Nigeria to stick with his country of birth Germany.

Hoffenheim defender Kevin Akpoguma has become the latest foreign-born player to turn down the chance to play for Nigeria.

Akpoguma who is born to a German mother and a Nigerian father is eligible to play for Germany and Nigeria.

The defender who has played for Germany at several youth levels has been targeted by Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr.

Rohr on Saturday, November 18 watched the 22-year-old in action for his club Hoffenheim against Eintracht Frankfurt.

“I watched him play for Hoffenheim against Frankfurt on Saturday. Kevin is an excellent match for the players we are on the lookout for,” Rohr told German radio SWR.

“But he’ll have to decide soon whether he wants to wear the colours of Nigeria and I’ll call him in the next few days.’’

playKevin Akpoguma has made four Bundesliga appearances so far this season (Twitter/TSG 1899 Hoffenheim )

The defender however shut down any chance of him playing for Nigeria stating that he wants to play for Germany

“That (Nigeria’s interest) honours me, of course, but I’m German, I was born here, and then I should play for Germany too,” the defender told SWR TV.

Akpoguma started his career at Karlsruher SC before joining the youth team of 1899 Hoffenheim where he was promoted to the first side.

He first caught the attention of Nigerians when he captained Germany in their 1-0 win over Flying Eagles of Nigeria at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

playKevin Akpoguma faced Nigeria with Germany at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup (Goal)

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have in recent years pursued players of Nigerian descents in Europe with the likes of Alex Iwobi, William Troost-Ekong switching to the Super Eagles.

Leon Balogun, Ola Aina and Tyronne Ebuehi are also some of the foreign-born players who are currently part of the Super Eagles set-up.

Akpoguma joins the likes of Tammy Abraham who recently turned down the opportunity to switch his allegiance to Nigeria to stick with England.