Nigeria hopes dashed as Germany call up Nmecha

Germany have called up Nigerian descent Lukas Nmecha to their national team for the upcoming 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Armenia.

Nigeria previously expressed desire to have the winger represent them.

The 22-year-old was born to a Nigerian father and German mother in Hamburg but was raised in Manchester which made him eligible to feature for either Nigeria, Germany or England on the international scene.

Nmecha, who plays for Wolfsburg at club level, previously played for the England U16, U17, U18, U19, U20 and U21 teams before he switched to represent Germany U21.

Nigeria lost Genk attacker Ike Ugbo to the Canadian men’s national team this week, and Nmecha’s pledge to Germany comes as another setback for the West African nation.

Nmecha has scored thrice in nine Bundesliga games for Wolfsburg this season.