Torn loyalties for German’s dad
German under-20 captain Kevin Akpoguma hopes his father will be supporting the right team in Christchurch tomorrow night.
Akpoguma’s father, Kelvin, will be in a unique position when Germany take on Nigeria in the Fifa under-20 World Cup’s round of 16.
It will be a case of divided loyalties for Kelvin, who is from Nigeria, but has lived in Germany for more than 20 years, where his son was born.
Kelvin and German wife Annett have watched all three of their son’s group games in the city and will be in the stands at AMI Stadium, before flying home.
Akpoguma said there would be mixed emotions for his father, but was optimistic he would support Germany.
‘‘During the national anthems he will show the two flags, Nigeria, and even the German flag. After the whistle, he will be [cheering] for his son, I hope.’’
Akpoguma, a defender, has been impressive in Germany’s group games and will be a key man against a Nigerian side that will be eager to attack.
At 1.92m Akpoguma is an imposing figure who can be a threat at set piece time from corners and free kicks. He has visited his father’s homeland twice, and is eligible to play senior football for both Germany and Nigeria.
While he has Nigerian ancestry, his firm preference is to represent Germany.
‘‘As long as I can play for Germany, I will leave this door open. If I see the level is too high, maybe, I will look for the other goal [with Nigeria].’’
Tomorrow night’s knockout game will have extra meaning for him, but he was cautious about getting too hyped. ‘‘It will be a special game for me because my dad is from Nigeria. It will be a normal game. I will be preparing myself like every game.’’
Last year Akpoguma started in the final of the European under-19 championship, helping Germany to a 1-0 win over Portugal in Budapest.
He is on the books of German Bundesliga club, 1899 Hoffenheim, but is yet to play in the top division.
After the tournament, he will embark on a two-year loan stint at Bundesliga second division club, Fortuna Dusseldorf, where he is likely to get more first team opportunities.
Akpoguma bases his game on German defender Jerome Boateng and Manchester City’s Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure.
‘‘Jerome Boateng is my idol because he plays like me. He’s the tallest like me . . . These two guys are my idols.’’
The German squad enjoyed a day off on Monday, after easing through pool play unbeaten.
They travelled to Terrace Downs resort, near Mt Hutt, where they tried their hand at jet boating, golf, archery and clay pigeon shooting.
Akpoguma was a fan of the Canterbury hospitality. ‘‘It’s nice. Maybe next time, I’ll go on holiday here, but I wouldn’t go in winter, because it’s very cold. In June, usually, it’s warm for me.’’
German coach Frank Wormuth described Akpoguma as a chap who doesn’t waste words.
‘‘He’s a silent human being, but around the match he’s a good influence on the team,’’ Wormuth said. ‘‘A captain has more tasks than other players and Akpoguma is a captain who is working behind the team always – not just on the pitch.’’
Germany scored 16 goals in group play, while conceding just two, and are one of the favourites for the title. ‘‘It will be a hard, physical match. They are fast, they can run. That’s the African attitude of the teams.’’