Swiss coach drops Nigerian-born Akanji from penalty duties after World Cup miss
Switzerland's head coach Murat Yakin confirmed that defender Manuel Akanji will no longer take penalties for the national team after missing a spot-kick in the World Cup Round of 16 match against Colombia. Akanji's attempt sailed over the crossbar, but Switzerland still advanced thanks to a save by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and a decisive penalty from Rubin Vargas, setting up a quarter-final clash with Argentina. Yakin said Akanji had already told him he wanted to step away from penalty duties after another miss in a major international tournament, praising the defender's leadership and insisting the mistake does not diminish his value to the squad.
Born in Switzerland to a Nigerian father and a Swiss mother, Akanji could have chosen to represent Nigeria but opted for Switzerland. He frequently speaks of his pride in his Nigerian roots and bears a tattoo of the Super Eagles crest on his arm as a tribute to his father's homeland.
For Nigerian fans, the story highlights the complex loyalties of dual-heritage athletes and the pride felt when a player displays symbols of Nigeria, even while playing for another nation.
Given his continued importance to Switzerland's squad, will you view Akanji's Nigerian tattoo as a sign of lasting affinity, or does his decision to play for Switzerland suggest a different allegiance?