Leeds United
Noah Okafor with Switzerland. Credit: Imago
Leeds United winger Noah Okafor made his return to the Switzerland national team for the first time in 16 months over the March international break. His exclusion from the fold was said to be justified by sources close to the team.
So even when he was flourishing at club level, the technical team often overlooked him. Per reports, he was out of sorts at EURO 2024 where he was said to be having serious attitude issues in camp. Okafor also had a brief spat with head coach Murat Yakin, and he had a public outburst against national team director Pierluigi Tami.
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The winger being called up for this international break really came as a surprise to some. Unfortunately, he did not play a single minute over the two games and was allowed to go back to Thorp Arch before the second fixture. It was later confirmed that the team allowed him to report to Leeds United to help his recovery, as he recently returned from injury.
Leeds United star apologized for issues ahead of call up
It has now been revealed that Noah Okafor making the squad over this break was already in the works. Per Blick, two months ago Okafor met with Switzerland boss Murat Yakin and team director Pierluigi Tami held a meeting. The trio held honest discussions, which were said to be crucial in paving the way for the 25-year old to return to the fold last week.
And that was not all, the report states that the winger addressed his past behaviour in his first night with the group in camp. Yakin, the technical team and members of the Football Association present applauded his effort. Okafor was also said to be on time for all team meetings, and he even did extra sessions on his day off.
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Noah Okafor has a huge chance of making the World Cup
This international break could be a pivotal one for the winger; even though he just returned from injury he showed up to the camp. And his presence there, coupled with his public apology would surely have put him in everyone’s good books. Meeting team officials to clear the air also show his maturity, and now he has a clear path to the World Cup. Now, all he has to do is finish the season on a very good note. He was playing some great football before he got injured in the FA Cup, and hopefully he can rediscover that form in the last eight games.