Why I Don't Play For Nigeria - David Alaba

BAYERN Munich youngster, David Alaba, says he
should have been playing representative football
for Nigeria but was denied by stringent eligibility
rule by football officials in the country.

Alaba, whose father is Nigerian and of Filipino
mother, plays for Austrian national team but only
after he has been turned down by Nigeria.

The defender said he actually planned to join
Nigeria's cadet team which won the 2007 FIFA
World Youth Championship at South Korea but
words reached him of his ineligibilty
''I wanted to play for Nigeria but I must confess
that there was no formal approach for me. A scout
actually discussed that with me. I was excited
because of my dad, he was a fan of Sunday Oliseh
when Oliseh played for FC Koln. As a kid, I loved
to watch Victor Agali in the jersey of Hansa
Rostock,'' he told an Austrian news medium.

However, Alaba was shocked when told by the
scout that Nigeria had plans mainly for its home-
grown talents.

'' I got the information that Nigeria will only
consider those who were in the country perhaps
because of travelling logistics and that is the end of
that."