The row over Noah Okafor’s continued omission from the Swiss national team has rumbled on in the national media as the Leeds United winger was compared to a Premier League rival.
Noah Okafor has hit the ground running with Leeds in the Premier League, scoring two goals and adding a new threat to the Whites’ attack so far this season.
However, Okafor is currently embroiled in a public spat with his national coach, as his continued exile from the Switzerland squad continues.
Leeds take on Nottingham Forest in a crucial encounter in the Premier League relegation battle, and Okafor is likely to line up opposite his fellow countryman, Dan Ndoye.
The pair have now been compared in the Swiss media, with Okafor urged to take a leaf out of Ndoye’s book in his search to force his way back into the international picture.
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Leeds United winger Noah Okafor compared to Dan Ndoye in international row
Both Okafor and Ndoye moved to the Premier League from Serie A in the summer, with Ndoye moving to Forest from Bologna, and Okafor joining Leeds from AC Milan.
However, despite Ndoye only registering one goal and one assist in the Premier League this season, he has been included in the latest Switzerland squad ahead of Okafor.
According to Swiss publication Tages-Anzeiger, Ndoye’s lack of arrogance is more suited to the current Switzerland manager, Murat Yakin, who has publicly called out Okafor.
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The report states: “Apart from the Coppa Italia, Ndoye hasn’t won a single title. Okafor, on the other hand, is a Swiss Cup winner (with Basel), a four-time Austrian champion (with Salzburg), and last season he won the Serie A title with Napoli.
“He has six goals in the Champions League; only three Swiss players have scored more. And Ndoye? He hasn’t scored a single goal.”
Before continuing: “[Ndoye] has become a pillar of the national team, while [Okafor] has manoeuvred himself into a corner. There were those at the Swiss Football Association (SFV) who, in December, after the World Cup qualifiers, wanted to mediate between Yakin and Okafor.”
“They didn’t rule out the possibility that he could secure a place in the team again in the future. Does that still hold true after his sweeping attack? Yakin can be stubborn.
“It’s clear that Okafor needs to deliver strong performances in Leeds so that the national coach can no longer ignore him. He needs to back up his words with action.”
Leeds United forward Noah Okafor
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Noah Okafor snub can work in Leeds United’s favour
To paraphrase a biblical verse, hell hath no fury like a footballer scorned, and Okafor has been playing like a player with a point to prove for Leeds this season.
Okafor is in the top five in the Premier League for the most successful dribbles per 90 minutes, according to FotMob, with 17 successful dribbles in total.
The opportunity to play at a World Cup only comes around a handful of times in a player’s career, and, at 25 years old, Okafor will be near his peak for the tournament in North America.
If Daniel Farke can harness his determination to force his way back into Switzerland’s plans on the strength of his performances, he can be a potent weapon for Leeds this season.