Mnoga’s England dream - and whether he can fulfil ambitions at Portsmouth
Haji Mnoga has targeted forcing his way into the England picture as his reputation continues to soar.
And the Blues defender sees no reason why he can’t fulfil those ambitions at Fratton Park after bagging his maiden senior goal.
Mnoga sent his team on the way to the last 16 of the Papa John’s Trophy, with the opener in the 3-0 win at Cheltenham.
Former Pompey and current England under-19 coach Ian Foster was at Whaddon Road to see the 18-year-old produce another powerful display on his latest first-team outing.
Mnoga has received international recognition at under-17 level, but Foster’s squad is awash with top-level talent from the highest level.
Everton’s Jarrad Braithwaite, Manchester City’s Liam Delap and Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott have all picked up Premier League experience, while Valencia’s Yunus Musah and PSV Eindhoven’s Noni Madueke are involved in the set-up.
Mnoga received his international recognition at the start of last year, but has not been involved since.
That is something the Southsea academy graduate is now determined to put right moving forward.
He said: ‘I only found out afterwards he (Foster) was here, but that’s obviously good news for me.
‘This was a game I played well in and ever since I haven’t been selected for England it’s something which has been on my mind.
‘I want to be selected again and if I’m picking up regular minutes here, hopefully I can get selected again.
‘It would be good to be back in with the lads.
‘To be honest, I’ve been missing it a bit so I’m working hard to get selected again.’
Mnoga’s outing at Cheltenham was his seventh of the season and takes his total senior appearances to 12 since his debut at Walsall in January.
The former Trafalgar School pupil is highly thought of within Pompey’s senior set-up, and now appears to be Callum Johnson’s chief competition for a starting spot at right-back.
Pompey may not have the status of some of the Premier League big boys who have players involved in the England squad, but Mnoga sees no reason why he can’t stake a claim while emerging in Kenny Jackett’s first team.
He added: ‘I don’t feel I have to be at one of the big clubs to play.
‘I’ve played at under-17 level and I feel I have all the attributes to play there.
‘I feel I have different attributes to other players there. It’s something I feel I can do, 100 per cent.
‘I’ve got the attributes to do it in my opinion and I feel I have the confidence to go and do it.’
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