The decision to place some regular invitees of the senior national team of Nigeria on standby in the latest Super Eagles list came as a surprise to many.
Henry Onyekuru who is enjoying a new lease of life at Monaco, Ramon Azeez who has been ever present since AFCON 2019 and goalkeeper Francis Uzoho were the notable absentees in the list.
The trio of Dele Alampasu, Frank Onyeka and Chidera Ejuke were the ones called up in place of the above mentioned players and the reason behind it has been revealed to Owngoalnigeria.com.
“ Uzoho hasn’t been active for over seven months. It will be wrong to call a goalkeeper who is working his way back to full fitness ahead of one who has been getting games. It’s a case of knowing what Uzoho can do but let’s see another who has been getting games. That’s why Alampasu was picked.
“In Latvia he has played in around six or seven games so far. That’s a step up base on where he was a year ago so he deserve to be given a look in”, a source revealed.
“ For a while now we have been searching for a back up to Wilfred Ndidi. I mean somebody with his frame and physical presence and that’s what Onyeka has. In the UEFA Champions League Qualifiers he as been the best player for his team. We have seen Azeez severally let’s see what Onyeka can do base on his performance this season”, he explained.
“ The idea to place Onyekuru on standby was a tough call but it has to be done to create space for Chidera Ejuke who did well last season and has continued with same form at his new team in Russia. When players know they are others in their position it gingers them to be at their best”, he concluded.
