The list of the players called up to the senior national team of Nigeria by head coach Jose Peseiro for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers back to back games against Guinea Bissau is yet to be made public.
However OGN exclusively gathered that it has been submitted already to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) before its official release which was moved to later this week with the coaches checking on the fitness of some players listed for the games.
One player who will feel he has done his chances a lot of good is Middlesbrough forward Chuba Akpom, who is yet to be handed his first call up since switching his international allegiance to Nigeria from England, where he was a youth international at different levels.
Yesterday he made a compelling case for a look-in with his 23rd goal of the season in Middlesbrough’s 1-1 draw against Stoke City. The result moved them to 3rd on the Championship table, just three points behind second position Sheffield United, who occupy the second automatic spot for promotion.
His possible inclusion in the Nigerian team is threatened by the form of others who have played as partners to top striker Victor Osimhen and they include Terem Moffi who has 15 goals for Ligue 1 side Nice, Ademola Lookman who has 12 goals in the Serie A.
Osas Mahawi
