An explanation on why Stoke City midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo wasn’t listed among the players called up to the senior national team of Nigeria for their upcoming AFCON 2021 Qualifiers has been given to Owngoalnigeria.com.
Etebo was placed on standby by coach Gernot Rohr , a decision which came a shock to many considering the fact that he is one of the senior players in the team and he has been consistent since the coach took over three years ago.
The emergence of Joe Aribo who has scored in his first two games for the Super Eagles of Nigeria is viewed by many as part of the reasons why the Stoke City man was placed on standby but that is not the case per reports gathered by Owngoalnigeria.com editorial team.
He was placed on standby as his availability for the game is not sure yet due to the fact that he is nursing a muscular injury which could rule him out of the game, so Rohr thought it wise to leave him out of the team until he is fully recovered.
The coach is not in anyway under pressure to have him play unlike before as he now has options like Ramon Azeez and the aforementioned Aribo to play in midfield alongside the duo of Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi.
