'The New Wilfred Ndidi' Pledges Allegiance To Nigeria Over France And Germany

Promising KFC Uerdingen youth-teamer Topmann Ugochukwu Izuwa has pledged his international allegiance to Nigeria even though he is eligible to turn out for world champions France and Germany.

Born in France eighteen years ago to Nigerian parents, he moved to Germany after his birth, and has a German passport.

Explaining the decision why Topmann opted to commit his international future to the three-time African champions rather than two heavyweights in world football, his father Bishop Izuwa stressed that the midfielder is proud of his Nigerian background and wants to contribute to the country.

'Topmann can play for three countries; France, Germany and Nigeria. I have made my children understand that home is home even though they were born in Europe,'' Izuwa Senior told allnigeriasoccer.com.

''If you don't have a root you cannot bear fruits and their foundation should be home. I want him to use his gifts to project the interest of Nigeria than serving the interest of his place of birth, that is the ideology.

''He has great opportunities in Germany and France but it is better he plays for Nigeria.''

Topmann has drawn comparisons with Nigeria star Wilfred Ndidi and just like the Leicester City midfielder, he can also be deployed as a central defender.

Izuwa added : ''He can play as a midfielder and a defender. Most of the time he is used in midfield. He plays like Leicester City's Wilfred Ndidi.

''He is a fantastic player, has good ball control, has good ball distribution, can play shots, good in the air especially from set pieces. He is aggressive and a mobile player''.

Topmann Izuwa was acquired by German 3. Liga club KFC Uerdingen in 2018 after stops at Sportfreunde Hamborn 07, MSV Duisburg, Rot-Weiss Essen, TB Oberhausen, VfR 08 Oberhausen and Schwarz-Weiß Essen.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel