When coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Gernot Rohr released his 25 man provisional list for the 2019 AFCON, many were shocked to see the name of Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho.
Iheanacho’s Inclusion came as a surprise to many considering the fact that he has struggled for form and goals this season at Leicester where he has been reduced to a substitute.
Owngoalnigeria.com takes a look at five players who should have made the squad ahead of the 22 year old former Manchester City forward.
1. Anthony Nwakaeme : He didn’t have the best of start at Trabzonspor but when he found his rhythm he scored in five games in a role, a run which saw him chalked up six goals in seven games. He ended his first season in Turkey with an impressive tally of 12 goals and 8 assists from a total of 34 games in all competitions.
2. Dennis Bonaventure : For the second season in a row he has maintained his status as a key player for Belgium side Club Brugge. This season he scored seven goals from 32 games despite playing as a wing-back as opposed to his main role as a wing forward. His teammate Arnold Danjuma Groeneveld was eligible for Nigeria before he was capped by the Netherlands at senior level but Dennis who has played more games plays for the U23s of Nigeria.
3. Chuba Akpom : Played a huge role in helping Greek champions PAOK end the recently concluded league season in Greece unbeaten, a feat they crowned by lifting the Cup as well. His permanent transfer from Arsenal has no doubt proved to be a huge success and following his switch of allegiance to Nigeria, his omission from the provisional list for the AFCON means he will have to wait for his chance possibly after the tournament in Egypt.
4. Blessing Eleke – 13 goals in 30 games for modest Swiss side FC Luzern in his first season at the club has made Eleke one of the stars of the league in Switzerland this season. The 23 year old was once placed on standby by coach Gernot Rohr but since then he hasn’t been considered for selection.
5. Noah Okafor – At the age of 18 one would have thought that the FC Basel forward who is also eligible for Switzerland will make the AFCON squad on the strength of his tally of five goals in 22 league games. More shocking is the fact that he isn’t even in the U23s of Nigeria.
