Kenneth Otigba: My Mother Was Almost Crying When I Chose Hungary Ahead Of Nigeria

Ferencváros defender Kenneth Otigba has revealed that his Hungarian mother almost wept with joy over his acceptance to play for the Hungarian National Team, having committed his international future to Nigeria three years ago.

Manager Georges Leekens has named the Kaduna-born defender on a list of thirty seven players summoned for the friendlies in March against Kazakhstan and Scotland and everything indicates that he will make his senior debut for Hungary in one of those matches, which does not cap-tie him to the Europeans.

''When the coach called me on the phone to count on me, I felt very honored. The coach spoke about his team idea and indicated that he saw the potential in me,'' Otigba told fradi.hu.

''There are two friendly matches in the team, and I'm looking forward to showing myself in the national team.

''Certainly,  I will offer the maximum in the national team, and then time will decide whether I can have a chance in the national team.

''We talked a lot inside the family about the subject. When I told my mother that I accepted the invitation, she was almost crying, she was so glad.Such moments mean a lot. I am very pleased to join the Hungarian National Team.''

Otigba won't be the first Nigerian-born player to choose Hungary ahead of the Super Eagles.

Lagos-born striker Thomas Showunmi is the first black player to represent Hungary's senior national team, and made ten appearances for the country, including competitive matches, before calling time on his international career in 2006.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel