One of the first name on the Super Eagles starting lineup these days is that of Sevilla forward Jerome Akor Adams, after winning the trust of head coach Eric Chelle.
A year ago from now not even Adams who was doing very well at Montpellier in France could envisage a breakthrough into the Super Eagles starting lineup.
Back then the favourite options of Chelle in his well loved 4-4-2 diamond was either Victor Boniface or Tolu Arokodare. Boniface for instance was seen as a vastly talented forward who could play many roles for the team.
However in Chelle’s first competitive game at home against Zimbabwe which ended in a 1-1 draw, he didn’t do enough when he was introduced as a second half substitute. The last straw was his laid back, lackadaisical performance against Russia almost a year ago.
After the game he announced his international retirement on social media, but later deleted it. Chelle as unimpressed with his antics and subsequently decided to bin him, although the fitness and injuries didn’t help.
Arokodare became Chelle’s main man after his heroics against Rwanda in Uyo, where he scored a late winner and was once again an impact substitute in the 1-1 draw away to South Africa three days later.
He made the team to the Unity Cup and cemented his spot, but lost it in November at the world cup qualifiers playoff following the emergence of Akor. Although he was also said to have had issues off the pitch which has so far denied him further invitation.
On his part Akor has stayed committed in training, a willing runner, hard worker and also a perfect fit for the method of Chelle.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
