PAOK Saloniki of Greece striker, Chuba Akpom has disclosed that he will step up his efforts in training and work harder in action with his club, in order to convince Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr that he deserves an invitation to the Nigerian national team.
Although the former Arsenal youngster had been lukewarm in the past over his chances of playing for Nigeria at senior level, footballlive.ng gathered that he is now thinking differently and wants to be part of the Eagles’ squad to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
This is coming several years after Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Amaju Pinnick personally visited Akpom to sound the lad out on the possibility of a nationality switch and star for the Eagles.
At that point, Pinnick met Akpom and Chelsea defender, Ola Aina in England, in order to convince them in making the switch to play at full senior level for their fatherland.
While Aina, who is currently on loan from Cheslea to Torino of Italy, accepted the offer, Akpom played hard to get, but his chances with England never pulled through and he lost out on Arsenal’s cards.
Debilitating returns have now occasioned a volte face by the 23-year-old bulky striker, who left Arsenal permanently in the summer after six loan spells during his time at the London club.
With PAOK, Akpom has two goals in six Greek Super League games this season, and 12 appearances in all competitions, which the England ex-youth international says he wants to expand and make AFCON 2019.
Akpom, who played for England in 40 games at youth levels, enthused: “Nigeria have qualified for the African Nations Cup.
“That’d be great if I get called up; but my main focus is to put my head down and put some good performances down for my club.
