How Nigeria Missed Out on Incredible Manchester City Defender Manuel Akanji

• Manuel Akanji was eligible to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, but he opted to feature for Switzerland, his country of birth
• The defender has been breathtaking for Manchester City, who have retained the Premier League title as they brace for the Champions League and FA Cup final
• Akanji disclosed that it was so easy for him to choose Switzerland over Nigeria because the African country never handed him an invitation

Sensational defender Manuel Akanji was born in Neftenbach, Switzerland, to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father, but he opted to play national team football for his country of birth.

The 6ft 1inches centre-back has been impressive for Manchester City as the Citizens win their third consecutive Premier League title.

He had featured for the Swiss U20 and 21 sides, and the rising star could have featured for Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

FC Porto legends: Top 10 all-time greats for the Dragons

Football

It is his first season in England, having joined Pep Guardiola’s side last summer in a deal worth around £15 million until 2027.

Manuel Akanji’s stats so far for Man City

The 27-year-old has become an important member of the Manchester City squad just in his first season for the Etihad Stadium outfit.

He has so far made 28 Premier League appearances for the club, averaging 70 passes per match with a pass completion rate of 93 per cent, and has one assist, as per Infogol.

The lanky star has managed just two shots on target from a total of nine shots but has yet to score a league goal in the English topflight.

Akanji has also played a massive role for the club in the Champions League, as Manchester City are already in the final, having seen off Real Madrid.

So far in the European competition, Akanji averages 75 passes per match, a pass completion rate of 92 per cent, and has 0 assists.

The biggest World Cup snubs: A list of footballers left out of their countries’ World Cup squad

Football

How Nigeria missed out on Akanji

His father is a Nigerian, and he was eligible to feature for the Super Eagles. He has, however, stated that he does not regret choosing his country of birth over his fatherland.

The former Borussia Dortmund star disclosed that Nigerian football authorities never invited him to play for the Super Eagles. He said via Punch:

“Nigeria never called me to play (for the Eagles). There was no question where I should play because Switzerland asked me if I wanted to play for them. I heard nothing from Nigeria. So it was my decision.”

Asked if he would have accepted to play for the Eagles, the pacey defender said:

“I don’t know, because they (Nigeria) never called me.

“I don’t think I have any regrets playing for Switzerland (at Russia 2018). Switzerland got to the second round, and Nigeria didn’t.

“My parents didn’t talk to me about which country to play for or which country I should not play for. They keep supporting me.”

Top 10 strongest football players to ever play the game

Football

Why Guardiola signed Akanji

Sports Brief earlier reported that Guardiola disclosed that Manuel Akanji would be the "perfect" fit for Manchester City after signing the Switzerland defender from Borussia Dortmund on transfer deadline day.

City responded to Guardiola's concerns about the fragile fitness of his centre-backs by paying £15 million ($17 million) to bring Akanji to the Etihad Stadium on a five-year contract.

The 27-year-old will provide valuable cover for Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake, whose recent injuries highlighted the need for central defensive reinforcements.