SC Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu has been named in the Bundesliga Team of the Week by football statistics website WhoScored, following his stellar performance in his side’s 1-0 victory over Felix Agu’s Werder Bremen this past weekend.

Born in Freiburg im Breisgau, the 23-year-old has attracted interest from the Nigeria Football Federation, but Super Eagles coaches past and present have so far been unable to persuade him to switch his international allegiance from Germany to Nigeria.

Last October, Atubolu was called up to Germany's senior national team for the first time ahead of a pair of World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland, but he's still there for the taking as he was unable to make a cap-tying appearance for the European giants.

Against Werder Bremen at the Europa-Park Stadion, the dual-national goalkeeper made a total of six saves, including two from inside the box.

In the 13th minute, a cross from Romano Schmid on the left was deflected to Justin Njinmah, whose overhead kick was brilliantly denied by Atubolu.

Later,  the Freiburg goalkeeper showcased his alertness again, clearing a miscued Senne Lynen cross off the line in the 71st minute and then producing another fine save nine minutes later to stop Njinmah’s long-range effort.

Atubolu has recorded ten clean sheets across all competitions so far this season, including five in the Bundesliga, four in the Europa League and one in the DFB-Pokal. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel