I’ll Learn How To Sing Nigerian Anthem Before Algeria Match – Akpoguma

 

Hoffenheim defender Kevin Akpoguma just pledged his international future to Nigeria. The former Germany U-20 captain, who has a Nigerian dad and German mom, is currently in Austria for the Super Eagles’ friendlies. In an Instagram interview with ng_supereagles monitored by KELVIN EKERETE, he talks on his desire to play for the Eagles

Have you been to Nigeria before?

I have. I think when I was about six years old. I can’t wait to return there again.

As a defender, who do you model your game after?

I modelled my game after Jerome Boateng when I was a youth player. He was my role model. I love his style of play. He likes to get the ball from behind and always looks for very smart passes. He is not only good at defending but also always trying to play from the midfield and that is what I like in his game. It is also the way I play now.

How would you describe your style of play?

My style of play is starting build-ups from behind and stringing passes, long and short, and trying to make the right decisions. What I need to improve on is my head work offensively, I haven’t scored any goal in the Bundesliga yet, so I’m looking forward to scoring there. I think the people will see my game in the friendlies and can make their own decisions. I don’t like talking about myself.

Nigerian fans yearn for victory and good football all the time. What’s your reaction to this?

The same thing happens at club level. If you are playing in a team, you want to get the best result. There must be a winner and a loser in games, but I think the goal is always to win more than losing. That’s the motivation every time.

Can you sing Nigeria’s national anthem?

I will learn the national anthem. Firstly, I have to learn the new song I will sing for the players because every new player has to sing for the older players. But I will learn the national anthem for Friday.

Why did you decide to play for Nigeria?

I decided to play for Nigeria because I saw a lot of potential in the country. We have top players like Victor Osimhen, Samuel Kalu, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi. These are top players that are playing in top leagues and if you put all of them together you’re going to have a great team. For me it’s a big honour to play with these guys. It’s not because I was born in Germany I will just walk into the team. I have to work hard and prove myself on the pitch. You can’t just walk into the team because you’re coming from Europe. You have to train hard, and that is what I like about the team. I am really happy I decided to play for my fatherland. As a footballer, it is always a dream to play for your national team. I played for the German youth teams and now I play for Nigeria. Every player wants to play in big tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations, European Championships and the World Cup. I think this is a very huge honour and is good to have those experiences to tell your kids, how those competitions were.

Why did it take you this long before deciding to choose Nigeria?

To be part of the team or play for any national team, you have to be ready. The problem was that in my first season with Hoffenheim, I think I performed very well after my loan from Dusseldorf. Maybe some people don’t know that I had an injury in my neck region. My career could have ended now. I was very happy to be fit so fast and come back stronger and everything was going well at the club and I just wanted to concentrate on that. That season we finished in third place and went to the Champions League. I just wanted to concentrate on my club football. After six months, I got another injury on my shoulder and needed to operate it. I think in those periods, I wouldn’t have been ready for the Eagles, but after my shoulder injury, I stayed fit and mentally. I think I’m ready to play for my country. I thought about making the switch in the summer because I had a lot of time to think and then I decided to play for the Eagles.

What’s your relationship with Leon Balogun, who was also born in Germany and currently plays for the Eagles?

He is helping me a lot here. He helps me ask some questions, and sometimes when I want to explain things I can’t explain properly in English, he helps. It is nice to have him here. It makes it much easier. He is a good friend and he is like a big brother to me here. He helps me a lot.