‘I remember it being really nice’

Wolfsburg forward Lukas Nmecha speaks about his connection to Nigeria and says the West African nation is somewhere he’ll definitely be going to soon.

Born to a Nigerian father and German mother, Nmecha is one of the brightest youngsters in the German Bundesliga, with four goals in ten appearances for Wolfsburg in the league so far this season.

The 22-year-old was once on Nigeria’s radar, but he has since committed his future to Germany and already plays for the senior national team.

Asked by the Bundesliga if he has a connection to Nigeria, Nmecha said: “Yeah, my dad has got a lot of family out there. It’s been a really long time since I’ve been there. I think I was seven years old the last time I went.

“But it’s definitely a thing on the bucket list when I do get a good amount of time off. That’ll definitely be somewhere I’ll be going soon.”

“I don’t remember too much, I remember a lot of sand dunes,” he said about his memories of the trip to Nigeria. “I remember just going out and around with my dad. I think the first time I went I was four, and I got this scar on my head. So that’ll always remind me in a sort of way. But I remember it being really nice, obviously really hot. Definitely want to go there again soon.”

Speaking on what he was told about his father’s background and growing up there, the striker said: “He was born and raised there. And I think he was raised by his mum from the age of four because his dad passed away. He’s just done really well for himself.

“He met my mum in Hamburg after he moved there. Even after that, he moved us all to England. His plan has worked out really well for all of us.”

Nmecha, who won the European Championships with the German U21 team last summer, signed a permanent deal with Wolfsburg in July, with a contract that runs until 2025.