TSG Hoffenheim's Kevin Akpoguma has admitted that he opted to switch his international allegiance from Germany to Nigeria because the three-time African champions have some top players in their ranks.

Akpoguma, who is set to make his senior debut either against Algeria or Tunisia in the coming days, is confident that manager Gernot Rohr can build a formidable team with these set of players and stressed that he has to work hard to break into the starting lineup.

In an Instagram conversation with the Super Eagles Media Team, Akpoguma said : "I decided for Nigeria because I see a lot of potential in the team, in the country.

"We have top players like Sammy (Chukwueze), Victor (Osimhen), Wilfred Ndidi, Iwobi - they are top players, they are playing in top leagues.

"If you put all of them together you'll have a great team, for me it is a big honour to play with these guys.

"It's not like you are German-born and want to play for Nigeria, everything is going automatically, I have to prove myself on the pitch, it's not like you just come from Europe and you are directly in the side, you have to train hard to be successful as a team.

"That's what I like in the team and that's why I decided to play for my fatherland...."

The Nigerian Federation have attempted to persuade other German-born stars with Bundesliga experience such as Felix Uduokhai (Augsburg), Jordan Torunarigha (Hertha BSC) and Kingsley Ehizibue (Cologne) to pledge their international futures to the Super Eagles.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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