Impressive in Vienna test, HSV talent set for international debut? | OneFootball

HSV gem Shafiq Nandja has taken a big step in recent months. Could another reward even follow in the near future?

The teenager signed his first professional contract in May this year and is also expected to play a role for the Rothosen going forward. “As a Hamburg native who has spent many years in HSV’s youth academy, this signature makes a dream come true for me. I’m proud to have reached this intermediate goal,” Nandja said at the time. In the past Bundesliga season, the youngster was already allowed to get a first taste of professional football under Merlin Polzin, making two appearances against SC Freiburg and Bayer Leverkusen for a total of 14 minutes.

That seemingly drew attention well beyond the borders of the Hanseatic city. As Bild reports, officials from the Togolese Football Federation have contacted the 1.95-meter-tall defensive talent. According to the report, Nandja could receive his first call-up for Togo as early as September. A possible appearance would come in qualification for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations.

Photo: IMAGO

HSV gem can imagine an international career with Togo

Because of his family background, the center-back has several options: his mother is from Togo, his father from Nigeria. He himself was born and raised in Hamburg. So far, Nandja has not played an international match, but he is generally said to be open to the prospect of national-team football.

His performance in HSV’s first preseason friendly is also likely to have given him an extra boost. In the 2–3 defeat to SK Rapid Vienna, Nandja came on for Nicolas Capaldo at the start of the second half and delivered a convincing performance. After Hamburg’s defense had conceded three goals before the break, the back line looked much more stable in the second half. Nandja’s clean passing also stood out positively.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.