Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr already boasts a defence of William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun, and Semi Ajayi, but is set to add another top defender.
Rohr has never hidden his desire to lure former Germany youth international and Hoffenheim defender Kevin Akpoguma to the Super Eagles fold.
“It was not my job to convince [Kevin] Akpoguma to come and play for Nigeria,” Rohr told BBC Sport.
“I had a good conversation with him and his family while watching several games in Hoffenheim.
“After the matches, we met and could talk. I presented our projects and I could speak about the team, about this incredible period in the Super Eagles and my vision for the team.
“He was sold on this and would love to be a part of the team and play in big international competitions like the Africa Cup of Nations or even the World Cup.
“We are very happy about the decision of Kevin Akpoguma to switch from Germany to Nigeria. Because he played for Germany at youth levels, the process is not finished yet because Fifa must give the authorisation.”
The tough-tackling centre-back was born in Neustadt to a German mother and Nigerian father and had represented his country of birth across various youth levels.
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But the 25-year-old remained eligible to feature for the Super Eagles having never been invited to play for the German national team.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
