'I never heard from Rohr' - Chelsea product explains decision to choose Canada over Nigeria 

World Cup-bound striker with the Canada national team, Ike Ugbo has explained the rationale behind his decision to commit his international future to Canada over Nigeria. 

The Chelsea academy product flirted with the Nigerian Federation in 2017 whilst playing international football for England's Young Lions. 

In late 2020, Ugbo started the process of filing a one-time change of association from England to Nigeria which was necessary as he previously played competitive matches for England U17 national team. 

He publicly stated that he would represent the Super Eagles and the chance to play at the 2022 World Cup was one of the driving factors. 

In addition, Ugbo felt more connected to Nigeria than France and England because many of his friends are Nigerians and the rest have African background.

According to The Athletic UK, Ugbo hesitated with his decision saying now that "he never heard from then-Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr throughout the process".

The Troyes attacker added : "And I never grew up in Nigeria, either".

Ugbo is one of the seven players of Nigerian descent in contention to feature at the 2022 World Cup, the others being Bukayo Saka (England), Noah Okafor and Manuel Akanji (Switzerland), Jamal Musiala and Karim Adeyemi (Germany) and Sam Adekugbe (Canada), 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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