Highly rated 1860 Munich 19 year old German-Nigerian defender Ohis Felix Uduokhai says his dream is to play for the senior national team of Germany.
Rumoured to as one of the players coach of the Nigeria senior national team Gernot Rohr is eyeing for a call up to the Nigeria team in the future, Uduokhai has revealed his intentions to progress through the youth ranks with Germany.
Already he has represented Germany at U19 and 20 levels and according to the centre back, he is focused on playing for the senior team in the future.
He made this known during an interview with Deutscher fussball-Bund picked up by Owngoalnigeria.com online editor.
DFB.de: The sporting success of the main character seems to be something that you and your team share. How are you feeling about how you have started the new year?
Uduokhai: We are of course very pleased to have started off with a win against Fürth. You never know how quickly you will get going after a time away and the result was positive for us.
DFB.de: New head coach Victor Pereira has installed a three-man defensive system. How are you adapting to the new setup?
Uduokhai: Even though we occasionally played with three or five at the back before the winter break, a new coach obviously brings new ideas. The first game of that is never easy and we worked very hard for it, and hopefully we will improve the smaller details as we continue.
DFB.de: So far you have played for both the U19 and U20 national teams. Do you see yourself featuring for the senior team?
Uduokhai: I am delighted with every call-up to the youth sides. It is a real honour for me. Every kid dreams of one day playing for the national team and it is an ambition I share.
DFB.de: Why do you wear the shirt number 17?
Uduokhair: I was looking for a number and it was free! Jerome Boateng wearing 17 had no bearing on my picking it. Despite that, I of course want to follow in the footsteps of the best defenders in the world and Boateng is excellent at opening up the play from deep, as is Ramos and before them Puyol. With them I see how much I can still learn.
DFB.de: Now, onto the DFB Cup. This competition must have quite the special significance for you?
Uduokhair: The game against Würzburg Kickers was my first in the starting eleven, which brought a lot of emotions together. The anticipation before the game, the game itself, the shootout, scoring my own kick and the team winning – I have nothing but positive memories of the DFB Cup.
First published on the 6th of February 2017.
