Nigeria’s Kevin Akpoguma suspended for Bochum match

LISBON, PORTUGAL – NOVEMBER 17: Kevin Akpoguma of Nigeria competes for the ball with Joao Felix of Portugal during the friendly match between Portugal and Nigeria at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 17, 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Kevin Akpoguma is suspended for Hoffenheim’s German Bundesliga match against VfL Bochum at the PreZero Arena on Friday night as a result of his accumulation of yellow cards.

Akpoguma earned himself a one match suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the season in Hoffenheim’s 2-1 Bundesliga loss to Borussia Monchengladbach last Saturday.

The Nigerian defender received a yellow card very late on in the 88th minute for a rough foul on a Monchengladbach player, making it his fifth caution of the 2023/24 campaign.

He has, however, backed Hoffenheim to bounce back when they face Bochum. “It was an unnecessary defeat to Monchengladbach as we played a better game than we did against Mainz.

“However, we weren’t consistent enough in terms of the details, in the first half in particular, we were always kacking the final ball with our crosses, we had this situation several times.

“The penalty was unnecessary and the second goal we conceded was too easy as well. It’s very unlucky that we lost here. We have to be more consistent in the decisive moments in the next few games.

“I don’t really care about our position in the table at the moment; we have to focus on our performance. That’s the most important thing. The team is focusing on doing things the way the coach wants.

“We haven’t picked up as many points as we would’ve liked in recent weeks. But if we perform, the points will come again.”

Akpoguma has played 131 matches in the course of his