Super Eagles caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen has explained the reason behind his decision to snub Cyriel Dessers and Tolu Arokodare in his squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Libya.
Dessers and Arokodare were overlooked by Eguavoen despite their impressive form for Rangers and KRC Genk respectively.
Dessers has scored seven goals and registered one assist for Rangers this season.
Arokodare has netted six times for Genk in the Belgian Pro League.
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Both were snubbed for out of form Kelechi Iheanacho.
Iheanacho has struggled to make meaningful impact since joining Spanish club Sevilla in the summer, failing to register a goal or an assist in five league outings.
“I decided to include Kelechi Iheanacho of Sevilla when it became clear Victor Osimhen would not be fit in time,” Eguavoen told Afrik Foot.
“I looked at both Cyriel Dessers and Tolu Arokodare, but opted for Kelechi this time because he is the more experienced striker.”
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Experience striker without match fitness and no goal or assist to show for it. I pray it works for you Eguavon. Because if it falls you will receive negative comment and please don’t always say you are selecting the players based on current form.
“I decided to include Kelechi Iheanacho of Sevilla when it became clear Victor Osimhen would not be fit in time”
Just as I said in the thread of the team list. Kelechi is now on the fringe and if Osimhen had been fit, he would have been dropped.
I also observed that Egusvoen is not a fan of Dessers or his playing style. I don’t even think either he or Arokodare are the next in the pecking order . Maybe 3rd. 4th, or 5th in the consideration for Number 9 in the absence of Osimhen.
Dessers used to be a top consideration but hasn’t impressed in the last chances he was given (aside that friendly against Mexixo). Even Paseiro didn’t rate him. And he’s ahead of Arokodare, who should first upgrade his playing league for someone wants to play 9 for the SE.
The Belgium league is actually not as bad as people might think. According to EUFA website, the league is ranked #8 in Europe ahead of some popular leagues.
For me the coach is too lazy we have strikers scoring goal week in week out u are inviting a player whom is out of form all it experience if u don’t invite the one inform how we they get experience na God fit help us for this country
Kel, I read that your post and felt you had your finger on the pulse. I think Eguavoen is playing it safe and electing to work with players familiar to him at the expense of others who might be doing better in club football.
Also, some of these invited players (indigenous and foreign) are those already accustomed to and accommodating of the NFF’s policy of “play now and be paid later (if ever)”.
Players like Umar Sadiq, Balogun, Aribo are also at home with this administrative anomaly and may make a return later. Personally, I don’t think Eguavoen is keen on Akpoguma, Dessers and Akpom. This is not a criticism of Eguavoen, afterall all managers select only players they are comfortable working with.
I also don’t think he is keen on Iwobi. Personally I think he prefers Joe Aribo but maybe he is still disappointed in Aribo’s disappointingly underwhelming displays against Ghana in Qatar WC qualifiers.
He clearly rates Iheanacho and will gladly create space for him if his form slightly deserves it.
A lot of fans should expect to be perpetually disappointed in Eguavoen’s squad selections. If these group (including those who didn’t kick the ball for 1 minute) defeat Libya, vast majority of them will be invited for November’s qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda (unless they lose form fatally).
Awoniyi was Eguavoen’s first choice center forward 2 years ago. Unless injured, I don’t see Eguavoen dropping him for Maja, Dessers or Akpom.
He (Eguavoen) is somewhat loyal to his players.
It has to be recalled that despite the furore that followed Okoye’s performance against Tunisia in the ill-fated Afcon second round encounter, Eguavoen called him back for the world cup qualifiers against Ghana – only that Okoye was to upset from social media vitriolic he received so he declined the invite.
So, with Eguavoen in charge, it will be unwise to expect a massive overhaul to the Super Eagles. Yes, you can expect the odd 2 – 3 fresh faces but nothing overly substantial.
Hence I try not to waste my time about players not invited.
I think this is a detracted which overwhelms Eguavoen Super Eagles coaching career , that means Eguavoen choose his player on sentiment not about form in his club , this makes Eguavoen fails on many times ; if Eguavoen choose his players on current good form and merit I think again he will be great coach just like the passed coaches Amodu Shaibu and Stephen Kitche and just like also Siasia , he should summon Chuba Akpom and Cyriel Dessers,Gabriel Osho instead of unfit players like Keleche Iheancho and Taiwo Awoniyie, Tanimu…
Lier. The most corrupt man on earth. How would you say you preferred an experienced player to an informed player who has been with the Eagles for a while? Would you play Nacho in upcoming games? Capital no. So, what are you talking about then?
So why are you lying then when it is clearly shown that Nacho will sit on the bench?
Are you telling us that Dessers is not a Nigerian like us?
First, you said you did not know Kolawole the last time, and now, you prefer an experienced player to inform the player.
Now, we are complaining that Nigeria is not moving forward, but how would Nigeria move forward this way?
You have given Oga Rohr followers a chance to muck we that believe our own can do the job kę.
So, you are feeling the heat from us the fans?
You know that Dessers is in a better place to replace Oshimen, but you denied Kolawole for the second time, and you think Kolawole and other informed players will be happy with you?
Shebi, do you want to rely on the experience of Ayoniyi, Nacho, Boniface and Chukwueze? Fingers crossed. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Lier. The most corrupt man on earth. How would you say you preferred an experienced player to an informed player who has been with the Eagles for a while? Would you play Nacho in upcoming games? Capital no. So, what are you talking about then ke?
So why are you lying then when it is clearly shown that Nacho will sit on the bench?
Are you telling us that Dessers is not a Nigerian like us?
First, you said you did not know Kolawole the last time, and now, you prefer an experienced player to inform the player.
Now, we are complaining that Nigeria is not moving forward, but how would Nigeria move forward this way?
You have given Oga Rohr followers a chance to muck we that believe our own can do the job kę.
So, you are feeling the heat from us the fans?
You know that Dessers is in a better place to replace Oshimen, but you denied Kolawole for the second time, and you think Kolawole and other informed players will be happy with you?
Shebi, do you want to rely on the experience of Ayoniyi, Nacho, Boniface and Chukwueze? Fingers crossed. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!