Liverpool loanee Taiwo Awoniyi has admitted that he was disappointed to miss out on a roster spot for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Republic of Benin and Lesotho.

German-born Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr consistently namechecked the Union Berlin star among the new faces in contention to be called up for this month's international fixtures, only for the striker to suffer a muscle injury that has kept him on the sidelines for around six weeks.

Awoniyi, an U17 World Cup winner with the Golden Eaglets in 2013 and one of the most talked-about Nigerian teenagers in the months leading up to the 2015 U20 World Cup, feels his best opportunity to earn a senior call-up has slipped from his grasp.

"It's every player's dream to play for the Super Eagles, it's what a lot of people are working towards which I'm also included being a player and previously playing for the national teams," Awoniyi said.

"The joy, the happiness, the delight and the privilege to be named in the squad but I've never been in the Super Eagles.

"This is the second season that I'd say I've really got the limelight of getting the opportunity to be considered as one of the players that will be there but here comes the injury.

"At the end of the day, it's not certain if I'll be there or I won't be there.

"I'm just glad I'm mentioned also as a player and for me it's a way to keep on working and to know that there's a lot ahead of you as a player to do well and the future is still bright.

"What I can keep in mind is to keep my hope alive, to keep on believing and to keep on working hard and at the end of the day if God wills it, it will come to pass."

Awoniyi directly participated in eight goals (5 goals, 3 assists) in the Bundesliga prior to his spell on the sidelines and he's hoping to return to action before the end of the 2020-2021 season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel