'I Always Wanted To Be Part Of This Team' - German-Born Star On Choosing Nigeria Over Germany

Published: May 03, 2020

Fortuna Düsseldorf goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has revealed that he always had it at the back of his mind that he would pledge his international future to Nigeria despite being born in Germany.

Manager Gernot Rohr and his assistants had been scouring Europe for a suitable replacement for Carl Ikeme after the Wolverhampton Wanderers glovesman was forced to call time on his international career due to health reasons, and held fruitful talks with Okoye ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

Okoye was invited to the Dream Team for their qualifiers against Libya in March 2019 but Fortuna Düsseldorf prevented him from traveling to Africa as he had just returned from a long-term injury.

The 20-year-old would later go on to make his senior debut against Brazil in October 2019, coming on as a replacement for the injured Francis Uzoho in the second half.

"It was easy to choose playing for Nigeria, I never dreamed of playing for Germany, always wanted to play for Nigeria, so when I got the call, the first one for the U23 team, this was the dream, this is my fatherland, it was easy, however, I was not released by the club for the U23s," said Okoye on Instagram Live,

"It was an unbelievable moment playing for Nigeria against Brazil, it was amazing I could talk about that for two hours.

"When the coach called me to get ready, I was on fire, hot, but also nervous because you are playing for your country, this is not playing for a club, that is also good, but you cannot compare playing for the country.

"But as soon as I stepped on the pitch, all my thoughts disappeared, it was like any other game, I was just focused, I would do my thing.

"I had prepared for this moment, the team gave me the support and a good feeling. Especially the guys at the back Ekong and Semi, Collins, it was a very nice and beautiful story."

Okoye continued : "The Super eagles is a dream because I always wanted to be a part of this team. It’s a blessing to play for this country, there is so much love and power with the people, we are a big and lovely country. Nigeria is just love.

"I had not been to Nigeria for 14 years before the Uyo game and the first step out of the plane I felt blessed. The experience was great and I am so proud to be a Nigerian, unbelievable happiness.

"When I joined up for the first time with the match against Ukraine, I had Leon Balogun, he’s also German and he introduced me very well.

"I look at everyone in the team and I can learn off everyone as well, everyone else has their own specialty. It is very funny in camp, but at the right time, everyone if focused. It’s a perfect mix of funny as well as focus and hard work."

Okoye was in line to make his competitive debut for the Super Eagles against Sierra Leone but the games were postponed by the Confederation of African Football as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Igho Kingsley

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