Frank Onyeka dismayed about Coach Chelle's snub in the WCQ

Photo Credit - Brentford Media.

Nigeria midfielder, Frank Onyeka has said that he was sad over coach Eric Chelle’s snub during the call up of players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe last month.

Onyeka’s season with Bundesliga club, Augsburg has been fantastic since his loan transfer from English Premier League side, Brentford last summer. The 27-year-old has played 25 league games this season with one assist to his credit in the German Bundesliga helping them mobe to 11th position with 39 points from 28 matches.

Despite his good displays this season, Onyeka was overlooked for Nigeria’s final squad after he was initially named in the provisional squad. In a recent interview, Onyeka explained how he felt about missing out on the games.

“I was quite sad about it, but the coach knows best, he knows what players he wants to use,” Onyeka told Oma Akatugba. “But hopefully in the next couple of games I’ll be available. I’m always available, so hopefully I’ll be with the team.

“We are in a difficult situation, but there’s still chance for us, we just need to win our next four games and hopefully we’ll qualify,” ‘Onyeka added.

Nigeria picked up four points from both games, beating Rwanda 2-0 at the Amahoro Stadium and drawing 1-1 against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

The Super Eagles are fourth in Group C of the World Cup Qualifiers, six points off leaders South Africa.