Jordan Torunarigha Follows in His Father’s Footsteps with Super Eagles Debut
By Confidence Chibueze
Jordan Torunarigha’s family was in the stands on Saturday during the Super Eagles’ final training session, as the Gent defender prepares to make his national team debut for the Super Eagles on Sunday against Sao Tome and Principe.
Jordan, who represented Germany at the U21 level, changed his nationality to Nigeria in June 2023 and was called up by Nigeria’s Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro.
The 26-year-old player, who was speaking to Adepoju Tobi, a football analyst, during Saturday’s training at the Godswill Akpabio stadium, says that the team is ready to face Sao Tome and Principe
” I like the atmosphere here, the team is doing well in the training, I like it. It’s not going to be an easy game; they ( Sao Tome) are not going to make it easy for us,” Jordan told Adepoju in an interview.
However, during the training session at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Jordan’s Father, Ojokojo Torunarigha, was seated in the stands cheering his son to victory.
Ojokojo, a former Super Eagles international, told Sports Intelligence Magazine that his son’s call-up to the national team has made him proud.
” More proud, more happy, it’s not all the time you see your son do what you do,” Mr Ojokojo said
“We were happy, that’s why we came together,” he responded to questions about the family’s stance on Jordan, who was representing Nigeria at the Senior level.
Jordan Torunarigha’s journey to the Super Eagles.
Jordan Torunarigha, born in Belgium to a Nigerian father, Mr. Ojokojo Torunarigha, began his football career at a German club, Hertha BSC II, where he made a total of 118 appearances, scoring 8 goals, before moving to Gent, where he has made 42 appearances.
The 26-year-old defender began his national football career with the German U16, U18, U19, U20, and Olympic teams before switching his nationality to Nigeria in June 2023, making him eligible to represent Nigeria.
Jordan, who spoke to the pressmen about his nationality switch, said it was born out of the desire to follow in his father’s footsteps.
” I have given it a lot of thought. My father has already played for the Nigerian National team, so I’m really happy that I can follow in his footsteps now.”
Jordan also envisioned representing Nigeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. ” My goal is to be part of the Nigerian team at the 2026 World Cup”.
The Torunarigha, a history in Nigeria’s football.
While Jordan Torunarigha is yet to play his official match for Nigeria, his father, Ojokojo Torunarigha, has represented Nigeria at the Senior level, making 12 appearances for the then Green Eagles.
Mr Ojokojo also played for Shooting Stars and Elkanemi Warriors before moving to Gabon and then Germany.
” I played for Shooting Stars, Elkanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, played in Gabon and then Germany, ” Mr Ojokojo told Sports Intelligence Magazine.
Ojokojo, who also noted in his interview with Sports Intelligence Magazine that his football era was tough due to his struggles with shirts alongside Yekini and Eguavon, expressed his happiness at having his son follow in his footsteps.
” National team experience was tough, those days Rashidi, Eguavon, Samson Siasai, it was very tough. Aaah, I am proud, very proud that my son is here today.”
Present at the Super Eagles training were Jordan Torunarigha’s brother and his sister, Oluwabumi Torunarigha.
