VITESSE of Holland midfielder Michael Dokunmu has revealed why he opted to represent South Africa in international football instead of Nigeria, the country of birth of his father.
The 17-year-old was born in Kimberly, South Africa to a Nigerian father and began his career with SuperSport Youth.
Dokunmu, who joined Vitesse in 2020 and started featuring for their U-18s last year, was named in South Africa’s squad to the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.
The attacking midfielder said afterwards that he felt more South African than Nigerian, hoping to play for Bafana Bafana in the future, rather than the much more accomplished Super Eagles.
“I chose South Africa because it’s my birth place,” he told the ‘South African’ website.
“I chose South Africa because I am more comfortable playing for my birth place and because I really love South Africa and it was one of my dreams, one of my goals to get called up to the national team.
“I hope to progress gradually to the U-20s and go on to debut for the national first team (Bafana Bafana).”
South Africa are in the same group as Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets for the U-17 AFCON scheduled for Algeria from April 29 to May 19, with Morocco and Zambia the other teams.
Dokunmo is eagerly waiting for the encounter between South Africa and Nigeria, billed for Constantine on May 6.
“I am looking forward to playing against Morocco and also Nigeria,” he added.
“That’s going to be something, but I am really hungry to play against them (Nigeria). I am confident in my team and also myself.”
Dokunmu is expected to be the star of the South Africa team after impressing at Vitesse U-18s, registering five goals and four assists in 17 games this season.
