One of the names that was missing from the list of invited players of the senior national team of Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers was that of the top scorer in the English Championship Chuba Akpom.
Akpom has been unstoppable this season for Middlesbrough in the English Championship with 24 goals in 31 games, which has helped to keep the promotion dreams of the team alive. He has twice been voted the player of the month in the league.
However despite switching nationality to Nigeria from England, where he played at different levels as a junior international he was snubbed for the games against Guinea Bissau. His form since his decision to pledge his international future to Nigeria in 2019 has never been this good.
Reacting to why he was left out of the team, coach of the team Peseiro said he takes responsibility for his omission, insisting that at the moment he doesn’t have faith in the 27 year old and trust the other players playing in his position to deliver in his team.
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“If I give you one chance to take someone from my team and put him. Who will you remove? I like all my players. I like them and I understand you”, he responded to OGN editor in chief Mohammed Mowiz.
“It’s my job as the coach to choose the best player for our team but if I ask other guys or maybe the 120 million Nigerians . They can’t choose others but it’s my job and in my mind I choose the best players for our team.
“Of course I know this player., I have visit this player, you check this player. You know I visit many players at their clubs. If I choose this one in this moment. I believe more on him than the others . For that I am the coach, I take responsibility. If I loose cut my neck not your neck.
“I appreciate, I know this player, my staff also. We see these players for each weekend, we see 48 match, watching all the players. Yes he (Akpom) is a good player I know but in this moment. I don’t have enough confidence in him but in the future of course, it’s open for everyone”, he rounded up saying.
