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By ‘TANA AIYEJINA
Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi has a secret wish — not to play against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Born to a Nigerian father and Romanian mother in Germany, Adeyemi was eligible to represent Nigeria, Romania and Germany.
But the lightning-fast and highly creative player pledged international allegiance to Germany in 2021, after representing the Europeans at U-16, U-17 and U-21 levels.
As a 19-year-old featuring for Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg, Adeyemi made his senior debut for Germany in a 6-0 2022 World Cup qualification win over Armenia on September 5, 2021, coming on as a late substitute and scoring his side’s sixth goal in the first minute of second-half injury time.
It was a historic debut as Adeyemi became the first footballer in post-war era to represent Germany’s senior team while playing for an Austrian club.
Two years after his first Germany cap, Adeyemi told PUNCH Sports Extra in Lagos that he wishes not to play against the Eagles.
“To be honest, because somebody has to lose or there’s a draw, so I will hope not to play against them (Eagles) because I also like them to win,” Adeyemi said, while on a visit to the remodelled Maracana Stadium in Ajegunle, Lagos on Friday.
Adeyemi said he was impressed with the kids at the facility in Ajegunle and is hopeful they can become future stars of the game.
“Not everybody has the chance to come to a better league or Europe and make their way through everything but we try to help children from young age, let them see how it is. And if they are really good, everything can happen.”