In a surprising turn of events, 22-year-old goalkeeper Noah Atubolu has reportedly turned down the opportunity to play for the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, despite his impressive form for German club Freiburg, Atubolu has chosen to pursue his international career with Germany, the country of his birth.
Atubolu's decision comes as a surprise, given his Nigerian heritage and the fact that he has been in outstanding form for Freiburg this season. The young goalkeeper has saved four penalties and has not conceded a goal in his last four consecutive games, a testament to his exceptional skill and composure between the posts.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had been keen to persuade Atubolu to switch his allegiance to Nigeria, recognizing the potential benefits of having a talented young goalkeeper like him in the Super Eagles squad. However, despite their best efforts, Atubolu has opted to remain committed to Germany.
According to sources close to the NFF, Atubolu's decision was not taken lightly, and he was said to be torn between his loyalty to Germany and his Nigerian heritage. Ultimately, however, he chose to pursue his international career with Germany, a decision that will likely be met with disappointment from Nigerian football fans.
Despite the setback, the NFF remains committed to developing and promoting young Nigerian talent, both at home and abroad. With a number of promising young goalkeepers emerging through the ranks, the Super Eagles are well-placed to continue competing at the highest level in African football.
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