June 13, (THEWILL) – Super Eagles Manager, Jose Peseiro, has shed light on the exclusion of Gift Orban and Victor Boniface, both playing in Belgium, from Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone.
The omission of the pair, who collectively contributed to 56 goals in the previous season, has sparked discontent among some fans and pundits. However, Peseiro clarified that he could only name three centre forwards in his 23-player roster, ultimately opting for Nottingham Forest’s in-form striker Taiwo Awoniyi, whom he has previously worked with.
The Portuguese football coach, had scouted Orban and Boniface from KAA Gent and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in April, intending to award them their first call-ups to the Super Eagles. He acknowledged their talent but explained that the limited number of forwards he could select necessitated tough decisions. Speaking to reporters, Peseiro revealed that he personally funded trips to France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and England to visit potential players, emphasising his commitment to the team.
Peseiro expressed his faith in Orban and Boniface, assuring them of future opportunities to represent their country. Their exclusion may have been disappointing for the Belgian-based duo, but Peseiro highlighted the performances of Awoniyi and Victor Osimhen, as well as clarifying that Ahmed Musa, Nigeria’s most capped player, occupies a different position as a winger to defend his decision.
The coach pointed to the financial constraints faced by the Nigeria Football Federation, which led to the selection of only 19 foreign-based players for the upcoming qualifier. He expressed his belief in the chosen squad, emphasising their familiarity with his coaching style and the importance of their presence in crucial matches. In preparation for the tie, the Super Eagles commenced their training at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Monday, with the majority of the squad present.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
