Peseiro explains Orban, Boniface, Akpom absence

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By Abiodun Adewale.

Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has revealed why he didn’t extend invitations to Belgium based duo Victor Boniface and Gift Orban as well as Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom for the 2023 AFCON qualifier against Seirra Leone on Sunday in Liberia.

The Portuguese coach released a 23-man list for the clash last week and the trio were again missing among the foreign professionals in the list.

The squad is completed by four home based players whom Peseiro invited from the just concluded Nigeria Professional Football League Super 6 playoffs in Lagos.

In a chat with journalists after the team’s first training session at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Monday, Peseiro explained that he was limited to only 19 foreign players while he tried to pick the best available players for every position.

“I have visited Orban and Boniface in Belgium but I can only invite 19 foreign players. I wish I could have more so I can call them but I also have to consider the situation of the NFF. There will be time for them and the rest of the team here can also do well.

“For Akpom, he can’t be here due to some issues with bureaucracy,” Peseiro said.