Kevin Akpoguma, Hoffenheim defender would now be able to be called upon by Coach Gernot Rohr as the world football governing body, FIFA, conceded his application to switch international allegiance from Germany to Nigeria.
Amaju Pinnick declared the development Monday evening.
“I’m extremely happy to announce that FIFA has just granted Hoffenheim defender and former German U-20 national team skipper Kevin Ufuoma Akpoguma permission to make his switch to Nigeria with immediate effect,” Pinnick, President of the Nigerian Football Federation, stated.
The 25-year-old defender, who was not called on for the friendly matches against Algeria and Tunisia – joined the Eagles camp in Austria on Wednesday while anticipating FIFA clearance.
Akpoguma said he joined the camp to acquaint himself with the team set-up.
Akpoguma, who has a Nigerian dad and a German dad, had in 2018 first showed his interest to play for the Eagles.
Nigerian coach Gernot Rohr however told BBC in September that he had persuaded the defender to play for Nigeria.
Akpoguma represented Germany from the U-16 level to the U-21s, and captained the German U-20 side at the 2015 U-20 World Cup in New Zealand, helping the Europeans beat Nigeria’s U-20 side 1-0 in the Round of 16.