Africa-Press – Ghana. Super Eagles interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has explained why he excluded Hoffenheim defender Kevin Akpoguma from his squad for the World Cup playoff against the Black Stars.
Nigeria face Ghana for a ticket to the 2022 World Cup to be staged in Qatar in November this year.
Eguavoen has named his 25-man squad for the doubleheader, without the 26-year-old.
Kevin has been impressive in the German Bundesliga for Hoffenheim in the ongoing season with 20 appearances and two goals.
“Slightly after the list was released, we still had opportunities to bring in one or two, and then Balogun was hurt- he couldn’t go because of his injury, and then we sent for Akpoguma to come. He didn’t, his club said no”, Eguavoen said.
“I want people to know that if you miss a call-up, that does not mean that you cannot be recalled. I think I’ve not worked with Akpoguma, but I have seen him closely. He is a very good player, no doubt, but for me, he couldn’t replace Balogun, Troost-Ekong, or Omeruo,” Eguavoen told Elegbete TV.
Akpoguma was handed his debut by Gernot Rohr and made two appearances in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
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