The Super Eagles squad for the September 2023 international break has been released.
Nigeria national football team fans have finally gotten their wish to see Victor Boniface and Gift Orban included in the squad.
Jordan Torunarigha, who officially made the switch from Germany to Nigeria in early 2023, has also gotten his maiden call-up, following the footsteps of his father, Ojokojo Torunarigha, who represented the Super Eagles in his day.
While the fans bask in the euphoria of these new inclusions, here are some players who we consider unlucky not to make the cut for the September Super Eagles squad.
Victor Boniface, Gift Orban and Jordan Torunarigha all get first-time Super Eagles call-up 🇳🇬
Sensational 😋 pic.twitter.com/6RV8VE1E8X
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) September 3, 2023
Super Eagles squad omission: Terem Moffi (OGC Nice)
“What more do I have to do to get back into the Super Eagles squad?” This question must be running through Terem Moffi's mind everyday.
The 24-year-old has been a steady performer in France since his move to Ligue 1 in 2020. He got his first Super Eagles call-up on the back of his impressive performances for Lorient.
He has hit double figures goals every season and has been nominated for the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé twice in the three years he has been in France.
However, Moffi has only been able to make 10 appearances for Nigeria since 2010 and gets omitted way too often, according to the opinions of many in the Nigeria football news space.
At his expense, Bayer 04 Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface has been included in the current setup and Nigerian fans continue to wait for when Moffi will be included once again in the Super Eagles squad.
OFFICIAL: Nigeria's squad list for AFCON qualifiers vs. Sao Tome has been announced. pic.twitter.com/dQDT0vlRMd
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) September 3, 2023
Super Eagles squad omission: Chuba Akpom (AFC Ajax)
Terem Moffi has made the Super Eagles squad in the past and has even racked up 10 caps, scoring three goals. Akpom, on the other hand, has not even been considered for a call-up since switching his nationality to Nigeria in 2017.
This is partly due to his form but the English-born player has proven in the last two seasons that he deserves a run in the team.
He finished as the EFL Championship top scorer last season, an award that Kelechi Iheanacho will be hoping to win this season. He was also crowned the best player in the league and also recently won the PFA award for the same.
Many believed that he would get his chance but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical committee, led by José Peseiro, who has extended his contract as the manager of the Super Eagles squad, went for Gift Orban instead.
Both are deserving of a call-up, but we cannot help but consider Akpom unlucky to have missed out on this chance.
Super Eagles squad omission: Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp)
The September 2023 international break will see a Super Eagles squad that is thin in the middle of the park.
Peseiro called up only four midfielders which makes the omission of Alhassan Yusuf a weird one.
The 23-year-old is yet to get a Super Eagles call-up but after playing a starring role for Royal Antwerp in their historic Belgium League win last season, many expected him to become a midfield option for the Super Eagles.
Our own Alhassan Yusuf of Royal Antwerp from Gawuna, Nassarawa LG Kano State will face Barcelona in this year edition of Uefa Champions League. Cook them for us Kante!😅🤌 pic.twitter.com/ylZI3Aid7v
— Omar 🗣 (@Omarkhalidsaleh) August 31, 2023
Yusuf's inclusion would have added some depth to the thin midfield but it looks like the Kano State-born midfielder would have to wait a little while longer for his first Super Eagles squad call-up.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago