A South African player who was called up but never played for the national under-23s has revealed how he could be poached by Nigeria.
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzhivhandila FC forward Onyedikachi Ononogbu was born and raised in Ivory Park, Midrand to a South African mother.
But the 21-year-old is eligible to represent both Bafana Bafana and the country of his father’s birth, Nigeria.
In March this year the player admitted his disappointment at missing out on selection for the South Africa under-23 squad for the Olympic qualifiers, and he is not in the latest squad either.
Although he prefers to think of himself as a South African, Ononogbu is now open to playing for the Super Eagles or even their under-23s should they come calling.
“I was born in Johannesburg hospital in Jozi,” Ononogbu.
“My father is Nigerian then my old lady [mother] is Swati from here in South Africa in Mpumalanga, in Barberton. I’m not sure what brought my father to South Africa because they were already married when they gave birth to me.
“I grew up in the kasi. I knew from a very young age that my father was from Nigeria but according to me I am not a Nigerian.
“My football career started at Stars of Africa Academy. They saw me when my local team played a friendly with them and I was invited for trials. Then from there I went to Baberwa, then from Baberwa I came here to Tshakuma.
“I went to CHAN with Bafana Bafana but I didn’t get any game-time. I have also never represented the junior national teams.”
