Bournemouth midfielder Philip Anyanwu Billing has reacted to the viral news on his switch of allegiance from Denmark to Nigeria reported by this portal on Friday and picked up by several others.
Billing according to our report has already filled his papers with FIFA regarding a switch to Nigeria at international level but the 23 year old said while talks have taken place between his representatives and Nigeria he is still committed to playing for Denmark.
“I think there are some rumors that come out of nowhere. When I saw it, I thought it might be good just to make a Danish article about it so that people don’t start to believe it. I saw the last time people started to speculate that I don’t mind playing for Nigeria and blah, blah, blah, ‘Philip Billing told BT.
“It would be strange to stand up for Nigeria when I feel 100 percent Danish. Of course I have Nigerian roots and am half Nigerian, but I was raised and born in Denmark. I have Danish mother, Danish little brother and Danish little sister and a Nigerian father. But this is Denmark I want to stand for. That’s my big dream, ‘says Billing.
Explaining further he said he spoke with coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr who wanted him to complete the switch early in order to be eligible for the Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers but he told Rohr he is committed to representing Denmark.
“I’ve talked to the coach, but I know where I want to play. I want to play for Denmark, so it is no longer than that.
“He just said he really wanted me to play for Nigeria, because the upcoming World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations will be played soon. I made it pretty clear to him that I wanted to play for Denmark. That’s my big dream. ”
Since starring for the Danish U21 at the last European Championship, he is yet to make the step up to the senior national team but all will likely change after he revealed that he has spoken with the coach who is next in line to take over as the coach of the Danish national team.
“I’ve talked to Kasper Hjulmand over the phone. Not about anything specific, but we just had a great conversation to get to know each other a little. From what I hear, it’s something I look forward to very much. Playing with the national team and hopefully in the future a few minutes and make my debut. ”
‘Hopefully this is the last time I have to answer whether I choose Nigeria. I can say that I am 100 percent in Denmark. I only think these are rumors and that’s to get people talking. But there is nothing at all, ‘concludes Philip Billing.
