Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro has been looking at areas he needs to strengthen in the team before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations next year, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Peseiro signed a short term deal that will terminate after the AFCON if he fails to get to the semi final, but it will extend automatically for two years if he meets the target set for him by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
In his bid to meet the target, he has been looking at players who can help the team achieve not just reaching the semi final but also win the tournament, something he has repeatedly said is his target.
One player that he has his sight on is Ajax new number 10 Chuba Akpom, who joined the Dutch giants in the summer after an extraordinary year in the English Championship with Middlesbrough, where he was voted the best player in the division as a reward for his 29 goals in 42 games.
Peseiro while responding to questions before the Super Eagles game in the AFCON qualifiers against Guinea Bissau, revealed that the 27 year old hasn’t completed the process of switching allegiance from England to Nigeria, after representing the country of his birth at various youth levels.
Speaking two days ago, he confirmed that Akpom who is yet to properly settle down to life in England is high in his plans for the AFCON next year, despite having a load of forwards in his team. He also made mentioned of the reasons why Sadiq Umar isn’t back in the squad yet as well as recognizing Terem Moffi for his two goals against PSG.
“Yes, and there is Akpom (Ajax) who hasn’t come. Moffi, who has scored two goals for PSG. There are many. It depends on when they are and if they are playing. Sadiq is recovering from a very serious injury”, he said.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
