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...
Australia 2023 Women World Cup: Super Falcons Burden...
Mbappe And Icardi Back For PSG Against Bordeaux...
Awoniyi eager for comeback after life-threatening surgery
Chelsea Ready To Offer Zouma New Contract
Ighalo Issues Coronavirus Plea
Sharapova wins first title since 2015
NPFL: Kwara United slams post-match violence after Rivers United clash
Widow, late Nigerian boxer’s family clash over estate
Falcons recall Okobi-Okeoghene, Monday for Cameroon friendlies
Lagos SWAN Chairman, Amb. Olatutu Oladunni, and EXCO Members Extend Ramadan and Lenten Greetings to Muslim and Christian Faithful Across Lagos
Lookman battles Onyedika in UCL knockout play-off
Osimhen’s Galatasaray thrash Juve 5-2 in UCL first leg playoff
Para-badminton star Bolaji emerges World No. 1 after Bahrain tourney
Falcons to face Cameroon in pre-WAFCON friendlies
Ondo athletes eye Niger Delta Games top spot
Onyekwere-Lyons eyes double Commonwealth Games glory
Priestly Ordination: Igbawase Irotier Family Now Has A Priest
W’Cup: Nigeria’s wait continues as FIFA delays DR Congo verdict
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,567 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,873 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,786 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,421 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,337 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,256 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,124 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,671 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,842 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,371 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,761 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,232 views)