Canadian national team striker – Ike Ugbo, who will participating in the 2022 World Cup, has finally provided his justification for choosing Canada over Nigeria as his future international homeland.

In September 2021, when he finally found his footing and started hammering goals in, Ugbo’s talent as a goal scorer got him on the spotlight with several national teams demanding for his services.

Surprisingly, after signing a new, lengthy deal with Genk in Belgium’s top division, he made it known that he wanted to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The opportunity to compete in the 2022 World Cup, though, was what ultimately spurred such a decision.

Ugbo began the procedure to file a change of affiliation from England to Nigeria in 2020.

🇨🇦 So happy for Iké Ugbo (@IUgbo). He played for England at youth level but after scoring goals abroad in Holland, Belgium & France, he’s now going to the World Cup with Canada.

The ex-Chelsea man was born in the UK but spent 5 years in Ontario growing up. #CANMNT #CFC pic.twitter.com/useYgfevCc

— English Players Abroad (@EnglishAbroad1) November 13, 2022

However, Ugbo now says that he never heard from Gernot Rohr, the then-coach of the Nigerian national team, during the decision-making process.

“I never heard from then-Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr throughout the process” – Ike Ugbo told the Athletic UK.

The forward is now a member of the 26-man team that will represent the North America team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as announced by Canada’s head coach, John Herdman.

Canada’s squad for the World Cup is out. 🚨🇨🇦

Cyle Larin, Ike Ugbo & Alphonso Davies all included in the list. 🌟

Can this squad make it to the semifinals in Qatar at least?

Thoughts? 👀#WorldCupwithMicky I #WorldCup2022 | #Canada pic.twitter.com/Twa0kH23UX

— Micky Jnr ✪ (@MickyJnr__) November 13, 2022

The former Chelsea player rejected Nigeria for Canada, barely two months after agreeing to play for the Super Eagles. Today, he makes Canada’s World Cup team alongside his Nigerian-descent brother, Samuel Adekugbe.

Ike Ugbo, who has not been in the best of form this season with just a goal and an assist to his name while appearing in 13 games for Ligue 1 club Troyes, will be seeking to revive his scoring ability at the competition in Qatar, where Canada will be competing for the first time since 1986.

𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕? 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒙!