The present first choice goalkeeper of English Premier League side Gavin Bazunu was in the frame to represent Nigeria few years ago before he made his senior international bow for Ireland.
20 year old Bazunu who is of Nigerian descent has ten caps for the senior team of Ireland fully establishing himself as the first choice of the team stepping up from the U17 through the U21. However he was in the frame to represent Nigeria before his debut.
A former coach of the senior national team of Nigeria revealed he told Rohr about Bazunu who was then 18 year old and was at Manchester City U23. Bazunu’s parent were also not against the switch and convinced their son to take the chance.
According to the coach, the information was passed to Rohr but around that time he has already met Maduka Okoye, who came highly recommended hence showed no desire to follow up even when he visited the United Kingdom.
A call came from the Irish team and he accepted it and with his recent position as first choice of Southampton his position in his national team is secured as long as he keeps his spot.