Language Barriers Turned Okaka Away From Nigeria

Stefano Okaka Reveals He Rejected Nigeria Due To Cultural and Language Barriers

By SL10 - Dec 13, 2014 04:55 PM

Stefano Okaka has dismissed suggestions that claimed he has the playing style as Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli.

The one - cap Italy international has clarified his future with Sampdoria, saying he is committed to the club, with earlier reports linking him with Inter Milan, AC Milan and teams in England.

''I wrote a letter to the fans to make it clear that I stay here 100 percent. Juventus? I am good at Sampdoria.

''You ask me because I'm black? I'm not the new Balotelli, I'm Stefano Okaka. We are friends, I wish all the best to Mario but each makes its path,'' Stefano Okaka told La Stampa.

The 25 - year - old attacker has set his sights on getting more games under his belt for Italy's national team, having rejected the opportunity to turn out for the Super Eagles.

''I talked to everyone, gave me lots of advice. Despite my roots, with Nigeria I would have felt a bit of a foreigner. I said no, I do not know their culture, the language, nothing of that country.

''It's everyone's dream to play for the national team and I made it. I'm sure that's just the beginning of many other experiences,'' Stefano Okaka concluded.

Born in Castiglione del Lago, Italy , Stefano Okaka has scored 3 goals in 14 matches for Sampdoria this season.

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JudgeDredd Dec 14, 2014 06:26 PM

To be fair, nobody knows you mate, let alone want you, and for those of us who do, we know you are not good enough anyway, so lets just leave story and shun long tings...Next!

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crown prince Dec 14, 2014 04:07 PM

You will try to learn about ur root when they start throwing banana at you. Even Italian FA president is under FIFA ban for calling black players in the Serie A "Banana eater"

segunade Dec 14, 2014 12:47 PM

We should be happy when a foreign-born player picks Nigeria over another nation but should not cast aspersions when it is otherwise. We can accuse the players of being unpatriotic but what adjective would you use to describe a player who turns down a country that has invested so much in him since he was young. That is the story of many of these foreign-born players. We should put ourselves in their shoes. I want us to get as many of them as possible who deserve a place in our team but I will not curse/blame them if it does not happen that way.

mphomm12 Dec 14, 2014 08:04 AM

What do u mean wen u say"their Culture,Languge and that country?

Kingstaplus Dec 14, 2014 02:11 AM

Who is he plz? Is he beta than iheanacho?

Sunnypa11 Dec 14, 2014 02:06 AM

No problem,Until they show u ripe banana,U will remember ur root

Emmyrandy Dec 13, 2014 09:50 PM

I don't blame you for turning down Nigeria boy, rather the blame goes to your "i don care" parents who never deemed it necessary to bring you closer to your root. Goodluck bro

Game Over Dec 13, 2014 08:45 PM

You have made your choice. I will only wish you well

Ebimocliff Dec 13, 2014 08:13 PM

Guys do not blame the young man. The fault lies with his parents who obviously were glad to leave Nigeria and felt their child did not need to know his roots.

Mafioso Dec 13, 2014 07:06 PM

Who are you? We don't know you pls? Even Mfon Udoh is better than you

chuxinho Dec 13, 2014 06:30 PM

We don't want you, unpatriotic man.

Supereagle Dec 13, 2014 06:25 PM

It is not his fault. He felt more Italian than Nigerian, like Adebayo felt more Togolese than Nigerian. All the best Stephano. Nobody has died that Balotelli chose Italy over Ghana.

Ara Nkita Dec 13, 2014 06:21 PM

We don't know you either. ..... Who wants you anyway? Mtcheeew

slekky Dec 13, 2014 04:23 PM

Story....

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Language Barriers Turned Okaka Away From Nigeria

Stefano Okaka Reveals He Rejected Nigeria Due To Cultural and Language Barriers

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