Jose Peseiro has explained why Gift Orban and Victor Boniface were snubbed from the Super Eagles ahead of their AFCON qualifiers.
Many eyebrows have been raised after Gift Orban and Victor Boniface were not included in the 23-man squad of the Super Eagles.
The duo had decent campaigns at their respective clubs in the Belgian league especially at continental level.
22:55 - 12.06.2023
S/Leone vs Nigeria: Napoli icon Osimhen missing as 19 Super Eagles train in Lagos
The Nigeria Super Eagles opened camp for the crucial AFCON qualifier against Sierra Leone with Serie A top scorer and Napoli icon Victor Osimhen missing.
Orban netted 20 goals in all competitions helping his side Gent reach the quarter finals of the Europa Conference League.
On the other hand, Boniface was joint topscorer with Marcus Rashford with seven goals in the Europa League as his team Union Saint Gilloise got eliminated in the last eight.
The pair were omitted in Peseiro’s squad for the final two AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome.
And Peseiro told reporters after training his reasons for Orban and Boniface’s exclusion from the Nigerian squad.
Peseiro gives reason Orban and Boniface were snubbed
The Portuguese gaffer was quoted by Complete Sports:
“I believe in Orban and Boniface, I spent my own money to visit them and if I should call them it means I will have to take some of the ones currently in camp out.
“So for Orban, Boniface and others they still have time. I understand that despite playing well they didn’t get an invitation but remember the likes of Osimhen, Awoniyi all did well last season.”