ÖFB newcomer Chukwuemeka: “My mom often made me schnitzel”

For the first time, Chukwuemeka is at ÖFB team which is happening these days Marbella to the World Cup tests in Vienna Ghana (Friday) and South Korea (Tuesday) prepared. The new addition appears calm, reflective, self-confident – but without any trace of airs and graces.

“The boys have given me a great reception. I can’t complain,” he says. “You quickly notice that everything is very familiar.”

His German is still manageable. He can “not do much, to be honest,” but he has already picked up a few cabin classics.

Conscious decision

The fact that Chukwuemeka sits here today is the result of a process – and a conscious decision. “I have for England played and grew up there,” he says. “But now it feels like the best decision to play for Austria.” One factor played a central role: the WM this year in the USA, Canada and Mexico. “Of course, that was one of the main reasons,” he admits openly.

But it was about more than just a sporting perspective. Personal conversations also left their mark. With Ralf Rangnick but also one with David Alaba. “That was in 2024. He called me and asked if I wanted to play for Austria.” When they saw each other in Marbella, a sentence came out that stuck with them: “You’re finally here!”

The exchange was even more intense Marcel Sabitzerhis clubmate Borussia Dortmund. “We talked a lot about Austrian football, including the success at the U-17 World Cup.” He played along with his decision to play for red-white-red.

Between London and Vienna

Austria is not entirely foreign to him anyway. Chukwuemeka grew up in England, but his roots lead to Vienna, where he was born.

„Käsekrainer and Schnitzel Of course,” he says with a laugh when asked what he associates with Austria. “My mom often made me schnitzel.” His parents, who immigrated from Nigeria, lived in Austria for a long time and both speak German fluently. Part of the family still lives in Vienna today. “I went there again and again.”

He himself was two years old when the family left the country – first to London and later to Northampton. Austria is not a new country for him, but a familiar place from his childhood that has suddenly become the present again.

Someone who needs freedom

In terms of sport, Chukwuemeka describes himself as “an exciting, talented player who likes to show what he can do and enjoys freedom”. He prefers to play as an eighth in central midfield – the position that also shaped his great idol: Kaka.

What does he want to bring in? “The best version of myself,” he says. And as quickly as possible. Because he knows which team he came into: “It’s a very good team. I watched a few games.”

In the end, the conversation inevitably leads to the big stage. To World Cup. “This is the biggest stage in world football,” says Chukwuemeka. “I watched every World Cup as a child. Just watching it, you realize how much it means to the players to be there.”

Now he is on his way there himself – in a new jersey. We’ll soon see how well it suits him.