Eagles vs Sao Tome: Fans query Torunarigha call-up, Akpom snub

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


 

You may also like...
Ronaldo Welcomes Investigation into La Liga Match-Fixing

Moffi’s overhead goal wins UEFA award

Australian Open 2017: Serena Williams opens account with...

Japan To Set 10,000-Spectator Cap Ahead Of Olympics...

Asensio threatens to quit Real Madrid

Contract extension: NFF Will Determine Rohr’s Fate —...

 

Latest News Nigeria beat Cameroon to reach IHF final 27 schools for Doregos Basketball Championship Super Falcons to play France’s Les Bleues in friendly SWAN suspends ban on coverage of Anambra FA activities Joshua among boxing’s top three earners in 2024 Oshoala makes history with Bay FC Nnamani hails team over IHF bright start Flamingos lift U-17 W’Cup Fair Play Trophy Rangers Intl, SWAN partner on sports collaboration in SE LAGOS SWAN CELEBRATES AIG ZONE 2 ON HIS BIRTHDAY AND 30 DAYS IN OFFICE Traders Cup: Upholstery Soccer Team Secured 2nd Win To Advance To Round Two Lagos SWAN Celebrates Oba Akiolu, Iyaloja General, AIG Fayoade

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,142 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,269 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,350 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (43,991 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,932 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,879 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,718 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,289 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,333 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,036 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,489 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,916 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media