The temporary head coach of the senior national squad of Nigeria, Austine Eguavoen, states the pairing of Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers and Ajax player Chuba Akpom are slated for a call-up to the side next year.
Dessers was a surprising exclusion from the roster of players summoned for the final stage of matches in the AFCON Qualifiers, where the Super Eagles tied 1-1 with Benin Republic before falling 1-2 to Rwanda in their concluding match of the series.
Numerous fans anticipated Dessers, who has netted ten goals in 20 matches this season, to be granted a chance to increase his six appearances and two goals for Nigeria, but the 29-year-old was noticeably absent from the roster.
Ajax forward Chuba Akpom altered allegiance to Nigeria after featuring for England at different youth levels, but a senior appearance for Nigeria hasn’t materialized since he made the switch three years ago.
With six goals in 18 matches this season, Eguavoen discussed his prospects with the Super Eagles alongside that of Dessers while assessing the players who might be offered an opportunity next year if there’s an opening for any trial game.
“We have had merely three, four days for these fixtures, so the period is not sufficient to examine new players closely.
“But I want to expand our extensive pool of players so that we could have competent alternatives.
“We ought to be patient. When we have warm-ups, we will attempt to introduce some fresh players like Cyriel Dessers and Chuba Akpom and collaborate with them.
“I know Nigerians cherish this sport so deeply, but occasionally we’re not patient.”
