Per reports gathered by OwnGoalNigeria.com editorial team Hoffenheim defender Kevin Akpoguma has placed his international career on hold for now due to reasons best know to him.
We exclusively gathered that the defender who has four caps for Nigeria isn’t keen on earning any further caps but his decision is totally unrelated to the departure of coach Gernot Rohr. It was Rohr who convinced him to switch nationality to Nigeria after representing Germany at various youth levels.
Rohr’s departure aside, sources close to present Super Eagles coach Austine Eguavoen said Akpoguma turned down the chance to be a part of the sqaud for the Africa Cup of Nations, when contacted to replace the injured Leon Balogun.
He was unhappy that he was initially dropped from the list and was only considered because of the unavailability of Balogun. Semi Ajayi was later called upon to replace Balogun and he accepted the call up despite the lateness.
Ajayi’s decision has cement his spot in the mind of Eguavoen who was also impressed with his performance when he got the chance to play at the tournament. Hence his decision to keep Akpoguma out of the squad for the World Cup qualifiers playoff games against Ghana.
Akpoguma can easily pass as the most consistent Nigerian defender this season with as many as 19 appearances to his name for 4th placed Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. Only William Troost Ekong of struggling Watford comes close with 16 appearances in the English Premier League.