Dad Advises Prolific Nigerian-Brazilian Striker Dom: Choose Nigeria, Not Brazil

São Paulo-based Nigerian Joe Uzoukwu, the father of prolific Vejle's Nigerian-Brazilian striker Dominic Uzoukwu has advised his son to commit his international future to Nigeria rather than the country of his birth, Brazil.

Dominic has picked up where he left off last season, scoring 7 goals in 13 matches this term to take his overall tally to 22 goals (6 assists) from 43 appearances for Vejle.

''There are lots of competition to play for Brazil, there are many players arising daily that's why on Nigeria side he has more chances to fit in,'' said Uzoukwu to allnigeriasoccer.com.

''He got encouragement from me when at the age of three I noticed him kicking a ball at the garage with his left leg.

''Later at the age of five along with his immediate younger brother (now a goalkeeper) I took them to Corinthians Football Club here in Sao Paulo for Indoor football/Futsal for test.''

Joe Uzoukwu, who was a goalkeeper for his secondary school and has lived in Brazil for thirty years, has highlighted the qualities of Dominic and is more than convinced the striker is good enough to play for the Super Eagles.

''He is more of what we call "Centrovante de Area", That is 18yd area striker. In this case he can make use of his body stature to protect, displace his opponents, most times acts as pivot inside the aerial box while his teammates from behind strike in the ball.

''This they learn in Futsal, and with his height defenders find it difficult to mark him. Like during their tournaments here, his opponents are always afraid, "how can we mark Dominic?"

''He has a powerful shot and besides if you have watched his game unlike most strikers who are very "egoistic" in passing the ball to his teammate in position to make that goal No ! He would rather serve his teammates in good position to score the goal.

''These are the good qualities he will bring to the Super Eagles if called upon and he will make his colleagues happy,'' added Uzoukwu Snr.

Dominic Uzoukwu, who has a Brazilian mother, has no international caps for the South American nation, so can play for the Super Eagles without Fifa approving a change of association.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel