By Daily Sports on September 11, 2021
KRC Genk striker Ike Ugbo has opened up about his decision to commit his international allegiance to Nigeria and not England. The lanky hitman was born in Lewisham, Greater London, England to a Nigerian father and he played for English youth national teams – under-17 and under-20. However, in 2020 Ugbo opted to play for Nigeria at senior level, while on the books of English giants Chelsea FC, who have since sold him to Genk last month. The 22-year-old explained that he decided to play for Super Eagles because he would get the opportunity to play in the FIFA World Cup finals. “I chose Nigeria and right now, we’re getting the papers in order,” Ugbo told Sport Voetbal Magazine. “The chance of playing at the Fifa World Cup is part of it. I think I have more chances with Nigeria than with England. “Also, I grew up with images of the [Nigeria] national team and always followed their strikers, especially the guys who came to England.” Ugbo spent last season with Cercle Brugge on loan from Chelsea and he scored 16 goals in 32 matches in the Belgian Pro League. He is now playing alongside his soon-to-be Super Eagles teammate Paul Onuachu at Genk with Nigeria set to continue their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign next month. The West African giants will face the Central African Republic both home and away in Group C matches. (African Football) •PHOTO: Ike Ugbo
Source Daily Sports
Posted September 11, 2021
You may also like...
Ifeanyi Ubah beat Pillars to Gata signature
Salah, Mane, Mahrez Clash As Liverpool Battle Man...
Messi delivers a masterclass as Barcelona beat Tottenham...
Sunshine Stars stun Rivers Utd
Aruna exits 2024 ITTF World Cup
Morata Double Gives Spain Victory over Malta

Morocco break two Eagles’ Mundial records
Upsets as Prime Atlantic Squash tourney enters semis
Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 to reach World Cup last 32
Saibari sets African World Cup milestone
Adeshina makes Bowerman Award semis
Six Nigerians earn picks at 2026 NBA Draft
Japan coach hopes World Cup success inspires Asian rivals
Three African teams through to World Cup round of 32
Ashe targets Commonwealth Games podium finish
Enyeama’s World Cup record stands as Africa’s best
Team Nigeria shines at Tour D’Afrique
Bosnia beat Qatar to reach first-ever World Cup knockout stages
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,913 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,247 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,163 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,765 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,652 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,524 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,410 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,936 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,142 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,613 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,088 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,491 views)