'I didn't expect it' - Super Eagles-eligible striker Emegha reacts to maiden Netherlands call-up

Strasbourg's tri-national striker Emanuel Emegha has admitted he was pleasantly surprised to receive his first call-up to the Netherlands senior squad ahead of their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Lithuania.

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman included Emegha in the roster amid concerns over the fitness of Ajax striker Wout Weghorst, who will undergo a late fitness test ahead of the trip to Warsaw.

The 22-year-old has been rewarded for his excellent performances in France's Ligue 1, scoring four goals in five appearances despite missing several matches with a hamstring injury.

Emegha is also eligible to represent Nigeria through his mother, but the promising forward will be cap-tied to his country of birth if he takes to the field against Poland on Friday. 

Reacting to his call-up, Emegha told KNVB channels, via Soccer News: "I didn't expect it, but I'm glad it happened. 

"No, I'm not nervous. I'm just happy and proud to be here. And I'm going to give it my all."

Emegha revealed revealed that even Strasbourg officials, including the team doctor, were surprised by his omission from the initial Netherlands squad.

"He said to me: 'Ema, what do you think? You haven't been called up.' Then I said: 'Yeah, it's a shame, I hope I get called up in March. But I did score two goals, and I know they saw that in Zeist too.' Then he said: 'You're right, maybe it will happen.'" 

Two members of Nigeria's 2018 World Cup squad, William Troost-Ekong and fullback Tyronne Ebuehi, were also born in the Netherlands.

However, the Royal Dutch Football Association beat their Nigerian counterparts to the services of Lagos-born forward Arnaut Danjuma.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: knvb.nl

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