The decision of Hertha Berlin defender Jordan Torunarigha to commit his International future to Germany ahead of Nigeria has been termed as a big disappointment by coach of the Nigerian team Gernot Rohr.
Rohr met with the 19 year old Germany U21 international last year and held talks with him over switching allegiance to Nigeria since he is qualified to represent the West African nation through his father.
However Torunarigha whose father Ojokojo played for Nigeria league side Shooting Stars of Ibadan turned down the approach from Nigeria, insisting on progressing through the ranks with Germany instead of representing Nigeria at the World Cup in June.
” We would have liked to take him ( Torunarigha) to the World Cup if he had agreed to switch allegiance to Nigeria. I would have needed his kind of player in my squad”, Rohr was quoted as saying in a television interview monitored by Owngoalnigeria.com.
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Speaking further the coach praised the qualities of Leon Balogun who like Torunarigha is also eligible for Germany but opt for Nigeria, where he has grown into one of the stalwart of the team ahead of their campaign at the World Cup in Russia.
” Leon is one of my important players in the defence. He is fast and brings German mentality. His partnership with William Troost-Ekong has been very formidable “, the Franco-German coach said.
Michael James
