The interim head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Austine Eguavoen says the duo of Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers and Ajax man Chuba Akpom are in line for a call up to the team next year, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Dessers was a shock omission from the list of players called up for the final round of games in the AFCON Qualifiers, where the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with Benin Republic before losing 1-2 to Rwanda in their final game of the series.
Many expected Dessers who has scored ten goals in 20 games this season to be handed a chance to add to his six caps and two goals for Nigeria, but the 29 year old was conspicuously missing from the list.
Ajax forward Chuba Akpom switched nationality to Nigeria after representing England at various youth levels, but a senior debut for Nigeria hasn’t become a reality since he made the decision three years ago.
With six goals in 18 games this season, Eguavoen addressed his future with the Super Eagles alongside that of Dessers while looking at the players who could be handed a chance next year in the event of an opening for any test game.
“We have had only three, four days for these matches, so the time is not there to look closer at new players.
“But I want to improve our large pool of players so that we could have capable replacements.
“We should be patient. When we have friendlies, we will try to bring some new players like Cyriel Dessers and Chuba Akpom and work with them.
“I know Nigerians love this game so much, but sometimes we’re not patient.”
