“A Game to Remember” – Super Eagles Star Kevin Akpoguma Relives Man City Thriller Ahead of Tottenham Showdown

“A Game to Remember” – Super Eagles Star Kevin Akpoguma Relives Man City Thriller Ahead of Tottenham Showdown-OXYGIST

Super Eagles defender Kevin Akpoguma is drawing inspiration from Hoffenheim’s unforgettable clash with Manchester City in the Champions League as his team prepares to face Tottenham Hotspur in a high-stakes Europa League encounter on Thursday night.


Tottenham travel to Germany for their Europa League Matchday 7 showdown at the PreZero Arena in Sinsheim. For Hoffenheim, it’s one of the most significant fixtures of their season, and Akpoguma believes the game could rank alongside their memorable 2018 battle with the Premier League champions.


Akpoguma, who primarily plays as a right full-back but featured at centre-back during that iconic night, was part of the Hoffenheim side that narrowly lost 2-1 to Manchester City. Now, with the stakes just as high, the Nigerian international is eager to help his team deliver a solid performance against another European heavyweight.


Hoffenheim enter this clash needing nothing short of a victory. With only six points from their first six Europa League matches, they find themselves outside the qualification spots. The German side’s struggles extend to domestic competitions, where they recently snapped a ten-game winless streak with a crucial victory over Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga.


That weekend triumph not only lifted Hoffenheim out of the relegation zone but also reignited belief within the squad. Akpoguma sees the momentum as a perfect catalyst for a strong showing against Spurs.


“The biggest memory we have is the game against Manchester City a few years ago in the Champions League. That was our biggest highlight on the European stage,” Akpoguma shared during the pre-match press conference.


“But now, another elite European team is coming to us in Sinsheim. This game belongs in the same category. We’re excited and ready for the challenge.


“There is so much at stake. We must give everything to make this game a success. Beyond the league table, we can show that we are a strong team. The win in Kiel brought a lot of positive energy, and we want to build on that.


“This is not just a bonus game for us—it’s a critical match, and we have big plans for it,” Akpoguma concluded.


Akpoguma, who missed out on the Super Eagles’ squad for the 2023 AFCON, is no longer the sole Nigerian at Hoffenheim. The club recently bolstered its ranks with the arrival of Gift Orban from French outfit Lyon during the winter transfer window.


Orban is expected to make his Europa League debut for Hoffenheim against Tottenham, adding another layer of intrigue to an already thrilling matchup.


With the stakes sky-high and memories of past European glories fueling their drive, Hoffenheim will look to rise to the occasion against the visiting Spurs. 

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