Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

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Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by iworo »

Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

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Jose Peseiro’s decision to leave out Chuba Akpom from the Nigerian national team’s squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau will likely raise eyebrows among Nigerian football fans.

Despite Akpom’s red-hot form this season, with 24 goals in all competitions, including 23 in the league, the former Arsenal striker was overlooked in favour of other strikers who are mostly struggling at the moment. This could lead to questions about the coach’s decision-making.

Why is Akpom out?

There could be several reasons why Peseiro decided not to select Akpom for the Guinea-Bissau games. One possible reason could be his lack of experience at the international level.

Although Akpom has played for England at the youth level, he has yet to debut for Nigeria’s senior team. Peseiro may have felt that Akpom’s lack of international experience could be a liability in a crucial game like the Afcon qualifier.

Another reason could be the competition for places in the Nigerian national team’s attacking line. Nigeria has several talented forwards, including Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Terem Moffi, all of whom have more experience at the international level than Akpom. Peseiro may have felt that he already had enough firepower in his squad and did not need to include Akpom.

Furthermore, Peseiro’s decision may have been influenced by Akpom’s playing style. While Akpom is a talented striker who can score goals, his style of play may not fit into Peseiro’s tactical plans. Peseiro may prefer more physical strikers who can hold up the ball, allowing the team to build attacks from the back. Akpom’s playing style, which is more focused on quick runs and goalscoring, may not be what Peseiro is looking for in his strikers.

Are these good enough reasons?

However, despite these reasons, some may question whether it was the right decision to snub one of Nigeria’s most prolific goalscorers in the world.

Chuba Akpom pledged his international allegiance to Nigeria in 2017 with his friend, Ola Aina. But while Aina has gone on to make 29 appearances for the Super Eagles, Akpom is still on the outside, looking for a way in.

Granted, with the Super Eagles counting on the talents of Odion Ighalo, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Paul Onuachu during those intervening years, there was little need for Akpom despite his impressive spells at Sint-Truiden and PAOK Salonika.

Even at the moment, there is no benching Victor Osimhen and Terem Moffi.

But with Peseiro’s backup forwards struggling, Akpom should be getting the nod ahead of Paul Onuachu and Ahmed Musa.

Onuachu was the top scorer in the Belgian league with 16 goals before leaving Genk, but he has been a shadow of himself since arriving in the Premier League. Ahmed Musa has struggled this season with no goals or assists, yet he still gets called up as the team’s captain.

Even more interesting is that Akpom’s contribution goes beyond being a goalscorer. Boro boss Michael Carrick has brought the best out of him by playing him as a supporting striker in the sweet spot between the midfield and the attack.

This is the same area where Alex Iwobi is the only player who has given the Super Eagles anything close to an acceptable performance over the last five years.

The point is the Super Eagles would benefit more from having Akpom available.

Overall, while Peseiro’s task is not made easy by the plethora of talented Nigerian strikers available to choose from, Akpom’s form and versatility should have earned him a spot on the team for the Afcon qualifier against Guinea-Bissau.

https://soccernet.ng/2023/03/chuba-akpo ... ll-up.html
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by maceo4 »

At least perform in a div 1 league maybe?
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by vancity eagle »

maceo4 wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 6:30 pm At least perform in a div 1 league maybe?
So wtf is Omeruo, Bamiye, and Musa doing in the team ?

What is Onuachu doing ?

What is happening is criminal.
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by olu »

I believe he will get his chance soon. This is a breakout season for him.

Btw, does he need approval to play for Nigeria since he represented England at the junior levels? Wonder if he's even currently eligible if invited.
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by maceo4 »

vancity eagle wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 6:42 pm
maceo4 wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 6:30 pm At least perform in a div 1 league maybe?
So wtf is Omeruo, Bamiye, and Musa doing in the team ?

What is Onuachu doing ?

What is happening is criminal.
You are too emotional if not you would realize that Omeruo has been with the team for a while and was playing in Div 1 when he made the team, plus he plays in a position where we are thin rather than attack where we have a lot more depth. We’ve ALL acknowledged Musa should not be on the team. Onuachu was performing in a div 1 team…What is happening is criminal when you mention the likes of the Yum Yum player, however Chubas omission wouldn’t be the proof of this that I would use.
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by bret- hart »

Playing for Yum Yum FC and bribing Salisu Yusuf and Bo$$o might be a good start.
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by Damunk »

olu wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 8:13 pm I believe he will get his chance soon. This is a breakout season for him.

Btw, does he need approval to play for Nigeria since he represented England at the junior levels? Wonder if he's even currently eligible if invited.
He might not even have a Nigerian passport at the moment. Who knows?
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by packerland »

Damunk wrote: Sat Mar 18, 2023 6:46 am
olu wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 8:13 pm I believe he will get his chance soon. This is a breakout season for him.

Btw, does he need approval to play for Nigeria since he represented England at the junior levels? Wonder if he's even currently eligible if invited.
He might not even have a Nigerian passport at the moment. Who knows?
Very possible. I don’t think recruiting foreign players and helping with paperwork are on this current NFF administrations agenda.They are busy trying to replenish the vault they said Picnik left empty.
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by iworo »

Mikel recommends Akpom for Super Eagles invitation

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Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi believes in-form Middlesbrough forward, Chuba Akpom deserves an invitation to the team.

Akpom is currently top scorer in the Sky Bet Championship having scored 28 goals for Michael Carrick’s side this season.

The 27-year-old, who is of Nigerian descent, is still eligible to play for the Super Eagles despite already representing England at youth level.

The striker stated in an interview with the BBC in 2019 that he is willing to play for Nigeria at the senior level.

Akpom is however yet to be selected by Nigeria since he made the declaration.

”Its a straight forward choice if you ask me,” Mikel is quoted by OWNGOAL Nigeria.

”You are doing it for your team then you at least get an invitation (National team). 28 goals and not a chance yet with Nigeria then you have to ask the coach why the top-scorer in the championship is not yet in his team. Even England I believe will have a look at him with the way he is going,” he said.

https://dailypost.ng/2023/04/23/mikel-r ... ion/?amp=1
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by airwolex »

He deserves a trial.
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by bret- hart »

Dude has been cleared long time ago to play for Nigeria. All that is left is to bribe salisu Yusuf and sign for Yum Yum fc.
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by Dammy »

Can he play in central defence?
I am happy
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by wiseone »

:rotf:

Or in goal!
Dammy wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2023 5:43 pm Can he play in central defence?
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by Bigpokey24 »

So he should be invited as a CB or what? You people want to flood the SE with 22 strikers and Uzoho
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by EMIR KONGI JAFFI JOFFA »

England will call him soon.
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

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Bigpokey24 wrote: Tue Apr 25, 2023 1:55 am So he should be invited as a CB or what? You people want to flood the SE with 22 strikers and Uzoho
Drop deadweights like Musa, Onuachu and Moses and you will have space for him. Simple.
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by Otitokoro »

Over 180 minutes of football against Guinea Bissau, Nigeria could not score a single goal in open play. This was in spite of the bevy of so called world class players (or D1 top scorers) on display. Yet, some people here are questioning an invite for Akpom, when the current crop are clearly not clicking. Talk about cutting your nose to spite your face!
If a particular group of players are not getting the job done, common sense suggests that you shake things up a bit to get the right formula. Clearly, the likes of Onuachu, Iheanacho, Ahmed Musa and some others have been shooting blanks and can be excused for the time being, in order to accommodate some fresh blood. There is absolutely nothing wrong in looking at others in the hope of getting the right mix. I would even go as far as excusing Osimhen - he has nothing to prove and it makes sense to preserve him for the big dance (we all saw the impact of him missing the last AFCON).
Now, if Nigeria cannot navigate itself out of its current AFCON qualification group without Osimhen, with the crop of players we currently have at our disposal, then we have absolutely NO business in in the AFCON.
bret- hart wrote: Tue Apr 25, 2023 1:28 pm
Bigpokey24 wrote: Tue Apr 25, 2023 1:55 am So he should be invited as a CB or what? You people want to flood the SE with 22 strikers and Uzoho
Drop deadweights like Musa, Onuachu and Moses and you will have space for him. Simple.
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by Cellular »

bret- hart wrote: Tue Apr 25, 2023 1:28 pm
Bigpokey24 wrote: Tue Apr 25, 2023 1:55 am So he should be invited as a CB or what? You people want to flood the SE with 22 strikers and Uzoho
Drop deadweights like Musa, Onuachu and Moses and you will have space for him. Simple.
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by Flex Swift »

So no EPL for the championship top scorer as Middlesborough fail to beat Coventry city in the play offs.
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by Tobi17 »

Flex Swift wrote: Wed May 17, 2023 10:33 pm So no EPL for the championship top scorer as Middlesborough fail to beat Coventry city in the play offs.
Thankfully Chuba Akpom has done enough to earn a move to a mid table PL team this summer, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Fulham are interested
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

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another abroad recruit failed when it matters most.. smh
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Re: Chuba Akpom: What must Middlesbrough star do to earn Nigeria call-up?

Post by Gotti »

maceo4 wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 6:30 pm At least perform in a div 1 league maybe?
:rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

He’s had a good season…
So he should be in the NEXT call-up.

He can replace Basketballer Onuachu…
But was UNDESERVING prior to this season.
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