Unknown to many Nigerians RB Salzburg free scoring forward Noah Okafor was keen on playing for Nigeria before deciding to pledge his senior international future to Switzerland.
The 22 year old has emerged as the go-to guy for the Austrian side who are currently campaigning in the UEFA Champions League. Okafor has scored a total of 30 goals with 20 assists in the 89 games he has played since joining the team from Swiss side FC Basel.
This season he has five goals in eight games. His form has been rewarded with a senior national team chance with Switzerland where he has eight caps with two goals to his name since making the step up through the various youth grades of their teams.
Born in Switzerland to Nigerian parents. He was keen on playing for Nigeria despite the fact that he was as at that time a member of the U-19 team of the country of his birth.
Four year ago, the now coveted forward who isn’t eligible for Nigeria anymore reached out to the handlers of the senior national team of Nigeria, but was snubbed by former coach Gernot Rohr.
“Everybody wants to represent the Super Eagles of Nigeria especially watching Kanu Nwankwo and Austin Jay Jay Okocha who are my idols while growing up,” he was quoted as saying by SportingLife on the 5th of February 2018.
“It will surely be a dream come true. I also have family in Nigeria and they will really be happy seeing me represent Nigeria”, he concluded.
Back then he was just 17 years old and still working his way up the ladder at FC Basel. It probably informed the reason why Rohr didn’t seem interested in having him in the national team set up.
Nigeria’s loss is now Switzerland’s gain with Okafor pushing for a spot in the team for the World Cup which will be his first senior international tournament for his team.