Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen has explained his decision not to invite Chidera Ejuke for this month’s 2022 FIFA World Cup playoffs against eternal rivals Ghana.
Ejuke was in Nigeria’s squad to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, but was omitted from the list for the two-legged qualifiers against the Black Stars.
Instead, Eguavoen called up the likes of Ademola Lookman, Emmanuel Dennis, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze.
As his exclusion continues to generate debate, Eguavoen opened up on why snubbed the winger for the African classic.
“I’ve spoken to most of them one after the other. The best position and then another alternative position,” Eguavoen said in an interview with Elegbete TV.
”Now as at today, on the left side which Ejuke said is his best position… I’ve seen Ejuke. I still hold him close to my heart. Now we’ve given an opportunity to Ademola Lookman and then we have Moses Simon.
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“On the right side, Dennis has come back and then Chukwueze. If you look at it, we are strong here and as well strong there.
“And then up there, we have Osimhen, Sadiq who’s doing well in Spain right now and the experience of Odion Ighalo. I also spoke with Olayinka as well, I know they have qualities.
“Ighalo last played for me in the U-23 but I’ve watched him play up to where he is now and it will be nice to see him closely again. It’s not like the door is shut for everyone out there. The door is still open for everyone.
“This is only a game and what we did is to have two players in each position and then three goalkeepers and others are on standby. Then we have a balanced team.”
Ghana will host the first leg at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi on March 25.
The reverse fixture is billed for the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja four days later.
15 Comments
Whatever choices Eguavoen makes, let’s support our team; cos if we lose out on the ticket, it wouldn’t just be a colossal loss for him alone, but for all of us.
The war chant right now should be; GHANA MUST FALL!!!!!!!!!
@Richie, well said.
Hmmm……”And the experience of Odion Ighalo”
IGHALO/OSIMEHN
It should be Osimhen and Dennis in front because of physicality the Ghana game will require.
Ighalo can’t do enough running and tracking back when required as Dennis will do.
I would have preferred Chidera Ejuke in the squad. Coach Eguavoen can play him in midfield as a creative midfielder, not a winger, because of his dribbling skills.
Aimless and senseless dribble?
Well said Eguavoen and good selection.
I love ejuke. The guy is also loaded but we still have a lot of matches in front.
Ghana players and their supporters will surely destroy themselves with their evil plans.
One of my joy is that VAR is introduced in both legs of the match.
Ghana will surely fall.
God bless Nigeria.
I understand you eguavoen but the problem is that this match is very crucial,u would have dropped Musa and bring in ejuke,what if things goes wrong for Moses,lookman and co,u will need to look towards ur bench,will Musa be able to save the situation?Musa was a very very good player for Nigeria no doubt,I admired him a lot but because u want to take him to his last world cup doesn’t mean u should jeopardize the chances of a whole nation.drop him this time ,if we qualify u take him to d world cup knowing there will be a chance to take up to 26 or 27 players to the mundial.i just hope u get things right because these ghanians are loud mouth.we won’t be able to hear word should they beat us
@Michel thank you brother you have spoken exactly my mind only thing you said wrong is taking him to the World Cup there should be no World Cup for Musa anylonger as he has past his best. He is a liability and World Cup is only 23 players mind you so only the best of the best should go. Eguavoen Jeapordizing Ejuke for Musa is very unfair
Because of covid ,thier might be extra 3 or 4 players ,that’s why I said he can go to the world cup
THE WRONG TIME FOR GHANA TO PLAY NIGERIA AND EXPECT NOT GET BEATEN. Their cycle of quality players/performance is over. YOU DONT FORCE THIS THINGS. THE MORE YOU FORCE IT, THE WORSE N FRUSTRATING THE RESULT. They should just console themselves that this match is only towards rebuilding. Anyway,ONLY A MIRACLE WILL SAVE GHANA.
I DON’T BELIEVE IN OUR LOCAL COACHES. THEY ARE ALL SENTIMENTAL.
**FOR NOW, OUR BEST LEFT WINGER WE HAVE IS CHIDERA EJUKE. IT IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE HATRED MIND TOWARDS HIM AND DON’T KNOW TO USE HIM. YOU DID THE SAME THING TO CHUKWUEZE. BECAUSE OF YOUR OVER ANGRY, YOU ARE MAKING THIS YOUNG GUY TO BE CONFUSED HOW TO PLAY ON PITCH.
**IF YOU ARE UNDER PRESSURE, IT IS BETTER TO RETURN BACK TO YOUR TECHNICAL DIRECTOR POSITION.
I respect Mr. Augustine Eguavoen, but he should try and learn how to hold his plans close to his vest sometimes. It is not mandatory that he must say something every time a microphone is thrust in his face. I believe that overall, Nigeria have better players than Ghana currently. But I’m just afraid, Ghana is playing this just about right.
What wrong did he say or we love finding faults all the time. What plans did he expose?
Good riddance to bad rubbish. U can’t get the needed result without wrong selections. Las las we go dey alright in this country bribery and tribalism never teach us a lesson
Well..make world cup just come and go. Can’t wait for Musa to retire