Interim coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Austine Eguavoen made a late call to include Sevilla forward Kelechi Iheanacho in his squad for their upcoming AFCON qualifiers games against Libya, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Iheanacho was not originally in the list of players called up for the games just like we reported, but a decision to include him was taken by Eguavoen two days ago when it became clear that Victor Osimhen won’t be available for both games.
Eguavoen was looking at two other options in Tolu Arokodare and Cyriel Dessers, but decided against calling the duo, despite the fact that they have had a better season than Iheanacho, who is yet to get off the mark for Sevilla , and didn’t get to play in the first two games of the qualifiers.
We gathered Iheanacho was preferred due to his experience, and with Victor Boniface set to start in both games there is a need to have an experienced option on the bench, rather than having two new players who might struggle when called upon.
The decision although harsh on the duo was taken in good faith, and owing to the reputation of Iheanacho in the team as one of the senior players, who is well loved and respected by his teammates.
