The Nigeria Football Federation have tried in vain to lure Hertha Berlin central defender Jordan Torunarigha to commit his international future to the Super Eagles over Germany, where he was born.

The 21-year-old Torunarigha has earned 26 caps for Germany's U16, U18, U19, U20 and U21 national teams, and trained with Germany's senior squad containing the likes of Arsenal's Mesut Ozil, Man City's Leroy Sane and Bayern Munich's Jérôme Boateng ahead of their trip to Russia for the 2018 World Cup.

He was approached by Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr to play for Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup but rejected the opportunity, saying he wants to prove himself for the German teams.

Former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou, who is teammates with Jordan at Hertha Berlin, has urged the Nigerian Federation to make another move for the defender ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking to Oma Sports in Hannover, Kalou stated : ''I don't know what the situation is so I cannot comment on it but Jordan is a fantastic player, good boy.

''I hope they will convince him to play for Nigeria but right now he is playing amazing for Hertha Berlin, that is the most important for me.''

Jordan Torunarigha has found the net three times in 25 appearances for Hertha Berlin since he made his Bundesliga debut against FC Ingolstadt in February 2017.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : dfb.de