Hamburger SV defender Shafiq Bello Nandja could be on the verge of earning his first international call-up after reports that the Togolese Football Federation has stepped up efforts to convince the teenage defender to represent the Hawks.
The 19-year-old, who signed his first professional contract with the German club a year ago, is reportedly being considered for Togo’s squad ahead of the upcoming qualifiers for the CAF U23 Africa Cup of Nations.
According to German newspaper BILD, officials from the Togolese Football Federation (FTF) have already contacted the player directly as they seek to strengthen the country’s pool of emerging talent.
For African football, the potential addition of Nandja would represent another example of national teams recruiting talented players with dual or multiple national eligibility who are developing in Europe’s leading football systems.
Nandja’s steady rise at Hamburg has attracted attention after he moved closer to the club’s first team.
The young central defender has already made two Bundesliga appearances and is now aiming to establish himself under head coach Merlin Polzin ahead of the new season.
While his immediate focus remains on impressing at club level during pre-season, the possibility of making his international debut has emerged as another significant milestone in his young career.
Born in Hamburg, Germany, Nandja is eligible to represent three countries internationally. His mother is Togolese, while his father is Nigerian, meaning he qualifies to play for Germany, Togo or Nigeria.
Despite those options, he has never represented any of the three nations at youth level, leaving his international future completely open.
Togo believe they have an opportunity to secure the defender’s commitment before another nation makes a move.
The report states that the former Harburger Türk-Sport player is receptive to the prospect of representing the West African nation and could make his first international appearances as early as September if selected for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Should that happen, it would mark the beginning of his international career and provide Togo with another promising young player capable of strengthening the country’s defensive options.
The Hawks have increasingly looked to blend experienced internationals with younger talent as they seek to build competitive squads for future continental competitions.
Recruiting players who are progressing through European football has become an important strategy for several African national teams, particularly those with large diasporas across the continent and Europe.
For Nandja, an international call-up would come after a year of significant personal progress.
Signing his first professional contract with Hamburger SV represented an important breakthrough, and his subsequent appearances for the senior team have demonstrated the club’s confidence in his long-term potential.
His immediate priority, however, remains earning more opportunities in Germany.
