Dusseldorf-Born goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has explained that he decided to commit his international future to Nigeria over his country of birth, Germany because of the love he has for the African giants.

The dual-eligible Okoye had not been to Nigeria, where his dad hails from, for fourteen years prior to his invitation to the Super Eagles for last November's 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin and Lesotho.

Asked what prompted him to choose Nigeria over Germany, Okoye told Eagles Tracker : "Simply the love for Nigeria and the way I grew up, it was an easy decision.

"It's always being a dream to play for Nigeria, the chance came and I took it directly. There was no second I wanted to waste."

The 20-year-old has revealed his admiration for Nigeria's most capped player in history Vincent Enyeama and wants to follow in the footsteps of the former Lille glovesman.

"I admire Vincent Enyeama, he's a legend. What he has done for this country, he's an idol. I am looking up to him and I want to do things for Nigeria he has done, that's why I'm looking up to him."

Another German-born player in the Super Eagles squad in Leon Balogun took Okoye under his wing when he earned his maiden call-up for a friendly against Ukraine last September.

"Leon Balogun because he is also half-German and he's like a big brother, he told me everything and he introduced me to everyone very well.

"Now we are a big family, every player is like a brother to me. I am learning everyday from every player when I'm with the Eagles. It's a blessing to be part of this team," said Okoye.

Okoye made his international debut when he played the last 27 minutes of Nigeria's 1-1 draw with Brazil in Singapore on October 13, 2019, and he got the date tattooed on his hand. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel