Super Eagles Interim boss Augustine Eguavoen has described Hoffenheim centre back Kevin Akpoguma as a good player adding however that he has not been given a look in for the national team because players in his department at the moment are doing very well.
He noted that With the likes of Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun holding their own it is not easy for Akpoguma to displace any of them at the moment
Akpoguma is one of the regulars for Hoffenheim, but he has not been able to cement a shirt in the Super Eagles
The 26-year-old is considered a very solid defender and has been doing pretty well for the Bundesliga side . He as netted two goals and made three assists for the side in 20 appearances this season. The Fortuna Düsseldorf man who was not part of the last Nations cup in Cameroon was equally not given a look in ahead of the two legged World cup qualifiers against Ghana this month.
“I’m a very reserved person, because our people, not just Nigeria alone, the entire world. People twist words. Yes, Akpoguma was out of the list that went to the Africa Cup of Nations,” Eguavoen told Elegbete TV.
“But 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.
“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,” he added.
Nigeria face Ghana on the 25th of March in the first leg before march 29th second leg scheduled for the MKO Abiola Stadium Abuja.
