Former Germany youth international Jordan Torunarigha has played down reports that he snubbed a call up to be a part of the senior national team of Nigeria to represent Germany in the past, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Born in Germany to parents of Nigerian descent with his father Ojokojo representing Nigeria at youth level, the Gent of Belgium defender is hoping for his first taste of senior national team football when Nigeria takes on Sao Tome and Principe in a dead rubber AFCON qualifiers game in Uyo.
He was handed a call up to the team by coach Jose Peseiro following FIFA’s approval of his switch of nationality from Germany to Nigeria. He played over 30 games for Germany at different youth levels.
26 year old Torunarigha rose through the youth ranks of the German team playing a combined total of twelve games for the U15, U16 and U17 team. He made the step up to the U19 and played in six games before joining the U20 team where he played in eight games.
He stepped up to the U21 and excelled in four games prompting a quick invitation to the U23 team for the Olympic games in Tokyo. He played in all three of their games at the tournament.
That was his last involvement with Germany at youth level with his last game coming in the 1-1 draw against Cote d’Ivoire in their final group game. He played the entire duration of the game after playing 45 minutes in the first game against Brazil and 21 minutes in their second game against Saudi Arabia.
Speaking on the key moment he decided to play for Nigeria, he said the visit by the coach of Nigeria Jose Peseiro made him to say now is the time to commit his international future to Nigeria.
“When the coach came to visit me in Belgium, I never heard it before that a coach visit a player to play for Nigeria so I said yes, it’s about time I play for Nigeria”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com in an exclusive chat. Asked on if he will convince other players born abroad to commit their future, he said it’s up to them. “I cannot speak for them, they have to decide themselves and I am not their parents or advisers, so it’s up to them to decide for themselves”, he rounded up saying.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman