Chuba Akpom has reiterated his desire to push for a spot in coach Gernot Rohr’s side, but he knows he has to be a regular at his club for him to earn a callup.
PAOK Thessaloniki of Greece star Akpom is aware that it would not be an easy task to jump ahead of the likes of Victor Osimhen, Paul Onuachu and Kelechi Iheanacho to become Super Eagles Number nine, but the Arsenal academy graduate is determined to give it his best shot.
The former England youth international switched his allegiance in September last year to represent Nigeria, his parents’ country of birth, but he must prove himself to get in the team.
Akpom enjoyed a brilliant debut season last term with PAOK, winning the league and cup double. The former Gunner completed an unbeaten league season with the club and even scored an overhead kick to win the cup final.
However, he has been in and out of the club’s starting lineup. He has just 13 starts in all competitions with only five coming in 20 league games. Akpom has seen action for the full 90 minutes in just one of his last ten league games for the Greek side.
“I just pledged my international allegiance to Nigeria and it definitely motives me to try and press and play every game for my club and help the team as much as possible to get in the (Nigeria) national team because that’s how I’m going to do it,” the 24-year-old told FoxSports1340am.
“Firstly, I have to fight for my club to get on that team. It’s not going to be easy because there are many young players but I’m up to the challenge and I hope that I would be selected soon. I’m ready to help the national team.”
Despite his limited game time, Akpom has managed to score seven goals for PAOK in 28 appearances this season, while he has three assists to his name.
