Photo Credit - Nottingham Forest.
Former Nigerian international, Sam Elijah has raised concerns over head coach, Eric Chelle’s exclusion of striker Taiwo Awoniyi from his squad.
The former Mali national team trainer named a provisional 39-man squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers without the name of the Nottingham Forest attacker. Chelle’s 39-man squad included key names like Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman, and Umar Sadiq.
However, Awoniyi was omitted, with Elijah, who has one cap for the Super Eagles calling the decision unjustifiable. “It is not justified. Sincerely to exclude Taiwo Awoniyi, who has been part of the team for a very long time,” Elijah told AllNigeriaSoccer.
“He didn’t have the chance to express himself fully due to injuries, but whenever he played for his country, he made his mark. “He didn’t have the chance to express himself, unfortunately, he was ruled out due to injuries. But when he was invited to play for his country, he made his mark.
“And how can you call up thirty-nine players without Taiwo Awoniyi, who has been part of the team for a long time – to me it is unfair.”
Despite his concerns over Awoniyi’s omission, Elijah backed the decision to recall veteran forward Ahmed Musa who plies his trade with local side, Kano Pillars. “In my opinion, inviting Ahmed Musa back to the national team is a good one. He has been a great motivator to the team and he is a very highly experienced and disciplined player.
“Chelle must have seen something in him. Although Ahmed Musa doesn’t play in Europe again, but he is playing in one of the top sides in Nigeria.”
Nigeria will take on Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25, aiming to revive their World Cup qualification hopes.
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