By Daily Sports Nigeria on September 5, 2023

Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro on Sunday released the list of players invited for their final game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against São Tomé and Príncipe but mixed reactions have trailed the announcement, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Portuguese tactician, who had his future with the team sorted out on Sunday, handed first international call-ups to Gent duo Jordan Torunarigha and Gift Orban as well as Bundesliga new star Victor Boniface but there was no place for Chuba Akpom and Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Torunarigha, who plays as a centre-back, has been in fine form as well and has scored a goal and registered another assist in 10 games. His club teammate Orban has equally enjoyed a bright start to the new season scoring six goals in nine appearances for his Belgian club.

Boniface also had an impressive season with his new club Bayer Leverkusen from his summer move from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

Akpom enjoyed a sensational individual campaign in the Championship scoring 28 goals and registering two assists from 36 games and was awarded with the EFL Player of the Year.

The new Ajax player had been tipped to earn his first call-up for Nigeria, Peseiro, in a list released by the media team of the Nigeria Football Federation on Sunday, surprisingly once again did not invite the player for the AFCON qualifier.

However, Torunarigha’s inclusion in the Eagles squad was queried by some sections of fans after the player had turned down the opportunity to play for Nigeria under former coach Gernot Rohr.

Michael Palermo said, “26 years? After being rejected by Germany, I remember when we were begging him to play for us and he said he was a German.”

“We don’t need rejects in our team. We want people who truly want to play for Super Eagles with their passion fuelled towards same,” Mexi King tweeted.

Emperor Jeezzy added, “Didn’t we literally beg this guy to play for us back then, and he insisted on representing Germany instead?”

Another Twitter user, Seyi, compared Torunarigha’s case to former Newcastle star, Shola Ameobi, who also made a U-turn on his Eagles decision.

He tweeted, “Same player that turned Nigeria down in 2018. Shola Ameobi vibes.”

Meanwhile, Akpom’s absence once again sparked reactions from fans, who wondered why the player was not invited for the game.

Lanre Samuels simply asked, “Where is Chuba Akpom?”

A Twitter user Unc Wickedest added, “I honestly think we need CHUBA AKPOM, the only credible 10 we get hope for at the moment.”

Inch surprisingly asked, “No Chuba Akpom again?”

Saddened by the absence of the former Arsenal player, A. I. Ó. of Ibadan took consolidation from the fact that Ahmed Musa was missing from the list.

“No Chuba Akpom still and thank God no Musa,” he wrote.

Mazi Bright suggested Akpom replaced underperforming Joe Aribo.

“Aribo is very underwhelming, I don’t know if you guys truly understand how awfully average these guys are, a tactically smart coach will play Chuba Akpom in that creative midfield role like he did effectively in Middlesbrough.”

While Akpom’s absence threw social media into a frenzy, Edward Edaba questioned the invitations of some Eagles stars for a dead rubber game.

“Why invite Samuel (Chukwueze), Victor (Osimhen), (Wilfred) Ndidi, (Semi) Ajayi, Moses (Simon), Calvin (Bassey), Ola (Aina), and (Ademola) Lookman?

“They should have used this opportunity to bring in new faces. Why leave out your best left back in Bright-O? Terrible list.”

Reacting to Edaba’s post Simzy Ehizzy said, “Same you want new faces, same you don’t want Bright Osayi left out. I think this is the best squad list I have seen in three years, being able to leave out Musa and co and bringing in Boniface and Orban.”

P J Slim added, “New faces? That’s not how to build cohesion.”

Source Punch Ng

Posted September 5, 2023

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