Fans want Akpom, Orban invited for Sao Tome clash

Ahead of the next international break, some football fans are clamouring for the invitation of strikers Chuba Akpom, Cyriel Dessers, Gift Orban and others for the dead rubber 2024 Africa Cup of Nations clash between Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe on September 10, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Super Eagles have already qualified for the continental showpiece event after a dramatic 3-2 win over Sierra Leone in their Group A clash at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, Monrovia, Liberia in June, with a game to spare.

After finishing second in the group, Guinea-Bissau are also through to the AFCON, while Sierra Leone and Sao Tome are eliminated from the tournament.

While it remains unclear who will coach the Eagles when they face the Selecao, with the Nigeria Football Federation yet to renew Portuguese Jose Peseiro’s contract, fans are of the opinion that Akpom, who on Tuesday was named the Championship Players’ Player of The Year, following his excellent campaign with Middlesbrough last season, should be invited.

Caleb John, a fan, said since there was nothing to fight for between both teams, the likes of Akpom, Orban and new Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface should be given a chance to show what they can bring into the squad.

“We have Akpom, who is desperate to play for Nigeria; there is also Victor Boniface, who is in good form and not forgetting Orban, who has been on the radar of some top clubs in Europe. Let’s hand them the opportunity to at least have a feel of what it is like playing for Nigeria. Dessers is also there, he has not been invited for a very long time and I think he will do well this time knowing that there is no pressure on him.”

A female football fan, Rita Akintoroye, surprisingly also requested for the return of Maduka Okoye.

“We’ve qualified for the AFCON and we have a game to play, why not try the ones that haven’t been playing and give rest to the regular players?

“More so, we are playing Sao Tome, who we defeated 10-0 away from home, and I don’t see any point why the coach should play the regulars for an inconsequential

match like this one.”