20 year old Toronto FC forward Ayo Akinola has accepted an invitation to train with the senior national team of Canada shunning the chance to do same with Nigeria.
Akinola is widely regarded as one of the hottest prospect in the MLS with nine goals in 16 games this season. A form which triggered a three way tussle for his international future between Nigeria , Canada and the United State of America.
Although he has represented America at various youth levels and even the senior team where he played and scored on his debut against El Salvador in a friendly game, he has now accepted the chance to team up with Canada in January.
He was brought to the attention of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) by former coach of the U20 team Paul Aigbogun who wanted the forward to be a part of his team for the U20 World Cup in Poland last year.
Coach of the senior team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr later had talks with the forward who at that time told reporters in the US that he is yet to decide “ No time to rush but at some point , I’m going to have to make a decision which one is best fit for me”, he said when asked about the approach from Nigeria.
His decision to accept to be a part of the Canadian training camp effectively means it’s now a choice between them and the US with Nigeria not an option at least for now.
