Noah Okafor Leeds United
Leeds United’s Noah Okafor has improved his situation with Switzerland during the March international break.
The winger returns to Leeds United without making getting any minutes for his country in the two friendlies against Germany and Norway. That was down to terrible injury luck, rather than manager choice.
Despite that bad luck, Okafor made progress as he returned to the squad for the first time in 16 months.
His situation with the national team took a dive during Euro 2024, where his behaviour and attitude was questionable. Last October, Sport Witness relayed news that he even had a misunderstanding with manager Murat Yakin.
This partly was the reason why Yakin didn’t call him up last year despite his performances for the Whites.
Last November, the Switzerland international lashed out at the manager and national team director, Pierluigi Tami, for not communicating about his exclusion.
Leeds United player makes amends
Noah Okafor picked up an injury in February and returned to the pitch in Leeds United’s goalless draw against Brentford. Murat Yakin initially left him out of the squad before calling him up for the last international break.
Blick now give an insight on what the 25-year-old did while with the national team camp.
He arrived on time for every meeting, ‘exudes a great deal of positivity’ and also did extra sessions on own, on his day off at a hotel in Basel. Yakin has also praised him.
“He [Okafor] trained superbly,” he said.
On the first evening of the gathering, the Whites man addressed his teammates, to issue an apology for his past behaviour and ‘promised to dedicate himself fully to the team’. His teammates, manager, his coach staff and the Swiss FA’s staff all applauded him.
Two months ago, Yakin and Pierluigi Tami made a trip to England to hold a meeting with the attacker. At that time, the director said the parties had “honest, clarifying” talks that opened the door for Okafor’s return.
Blick state: ‘The Swiss Football Association (SFV) is convinced that Yakin not only showed understanding during his meeting with him in Leeds but is now also putting his money where his mouth is.’
His chances of making it to the World Cup has ‘never been better in the past two years.’
What next for Whites attacker
Noah Okafor missed the two Switzerland matches due to injury, and on Wednesday, Murat Yakin said he hopes the player will be fit soon.
Daniel Farke’s side have at least eight matches left this season, which is probably enough for him to regain fitness and rhythm.
He arrived at Elland Road from AC Milan in August 2025 and has managed four goals and an assist so far.
His Premier League statistics this season are as follows:
Appearances: 24
Starts: 15
Total minutes: 1,303
Minutes per game: 54
Expected Goals: 4.22
Expected Assists: 0.97
🇫🇷 Ilan Kebbal | Leeds United, Southampton and Watford in mix for stat-friendly winger
⚽️ 13 goal contributions in 25 matches
➡️ Currently at Paris FC on a contract until 2028https://t.co/Ux97Img7Km #lufc #mot #safc #watford
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) April 1, 2026