You can tell how happy and fulfilled Kevin Akpoguma has been in New Zealand over the past few days by the sparkle in his eyes. The Germany’s team captain is enjoying the FIFA Under-20 World Cup 2015 to the full and looking forward to the next challenge, as the side sets to take on another West Africa team, The Junior Elephants of Mali, in one of today’s quarterfinal matches in Christchurch.
The Germans, on Thursday morning, defeated the Flying Eagles of Nigeria 1-0 to send the Nigerians back home, while the 20-year-old defender, Akpoguma, played a major role in the victory.
The Hoffenheim defender is however happy that Germany won the match against Nigeria.
He said: “I’m half-Nigerian as my father is Nigerian, and I’m glad to be able to say that. The match was a special one for me because my parents were here and even more memorable for my dad.
“I was born and (I) grew up in Germany; so I consider myself to be German.”
Nevertheless, this powerful defender – capable of playing both as a centre-back and on the right side of a four-man defence – remains well-placed to identify with his team’s upcoming opponents. He had visited Nigeria twice and his grandparents live in Benin City, where he fondly remembers everyone going to church on Sundays and then playing football together – something he was understandably pleased to be part of.
Levin Oztunali’s first half goal was enough to take Germany through to the last eight of the FIFA U-20 World Cup at the expense of Nigeria.
Ultimately, the Frank Wormuth’s side deservedly won against the Group E runners-up, and while the Africans could not be faulted for effort, their inability to convert meaningful chances proved to be their undoing.
Germany took the lead and the only goal of the match in the 19th minute. Marc Stendera’s pressure on Kingsley Sokari led to him stealing the ball just outside the Flying Eagles’ box.
He found Levin Oztunali at the edge of the area and the grandson of the legendary Uwe Seeler fired home a powerful left-footed shot which beat the Nigerian keeper, Joshua Enaholo.
The Germans could have, and probably should have, doubled their advantage later in the half, when a cross from Akpoguma found Hany Mukhtar lurking on the penalty spot. But the ball came off his shoulder and Enaholo was able to save comfortably.
The Group F winners finished the half strongly as Stendera forced Enaholo into two fine saves from close range.
Nigeria, runners-up in 1989 and 2005, tried in vain to fight back after the break.
As it stands now, Mali and Senegal are the remaining Africa’s representatives at the World Cup after both Ghana and Nigeria crashed out at the Round of 16.
Germany will now face Mali in the quarter-finals today in Christchurch, which is when Senegal will play Uzbekistan in Wellington.
