Hertha Berlin’s Nigerian-born defender, Jordan Torunarigha has been invited to Germany’s under-20 national team, as the country of his birth aim to keep him away from switching allegiance to play for the Super Eagles.
In what appears to be a smart move to prevent any ill feelings from Torunarigha over his snub from a spot in Germany’s World Cup squad, the country’s football officials have moved swiftly to compensate him with a youth team call up.
Consequently, Torunarigha is set to join the under-20 squad at a training camp in Eppan, South Tyrol from May 27 to 31.
Born in Chemnitz, Germany 20 years ago, Torunarigha has 17 appearances for Germany’s youth teams since his maiden appearance against United States U18s in December 2014.
He was promoted to Germany U21 national team in November 2017 and made his debut for the side against Kosovo two months ago after he was an unused substitute in the Euro U21 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Israel.
The central defender’s latest invitation to the U20s will look like a demotion but that is not the case as he will also train with Germany’s senior squad containing the likes of Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, Man City’s Leroy Sane and Bayern Munich’s Jérôme Boateng ahead of their trip to Russia for the World Cup.
Germany’s under-20 team coach, Frank Kramer explained: ”We act as a training partner, so that the team can seriously and seriously prepare for the World Cup in Russia.
”For the nominated guys, working with the national team on the pitch is a tremendously valuable experience and they are thrilled to be a small part of the World Cup preparation. ”
