Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro has back down on his decision to exclude the top scorer in the English Championship Chuba Akpom in his plans for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Peseiro was asked why Akpom who has 26 goals from 36 games this season for Middlesbrough has been cleared to play for the senior national team of Nigeria, following a successful switch of allegiance process after representing England at youth levels.
“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 replied during the post match conference ahead of the game against Guinea Bissau in Abuja.
With Akpom once again finding the back of the net on Friday against Burnley, the coach has somehow admitted that the 27 year old, who is the first Boro player to score in seven consecutive games at the Riverside Stadium deserves a call up.
The coach has already reached out to the representatives of the player to explain his statement which he felt was lost in translation as he meant no disrespect. He assured them that he will be in the mix for the call up for the games against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe.
Nigeria need just three points from their remaining two games in the qualifiers to seal a spot at the Africa Cup of Nations, which will take place in Côte d’Ivoire next year.
Mohammed Mowiz
