'Bassey should have been there' - Eagles fans react to omission of several players born abroad AFCON squad

The Nigeria Football Federation announced the finalized squad list for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday afternoon.

Of the twenty-eight players selected by interim boss Augustine Eguavoen, five were born outside Nigeria including
Ola Aina and Joe Aribo.

The good news is that Maduka Okoye, William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun who are perceived to be very loyal to dismissed coach Gernot Rohr have also been called up.

Many Super Eagles fans have questioned the decision of the Nigeria Football Federation and Eguavoen to leave out several players born abroad in the finalized squad.

The most notable exclusions are German-born Hoffenheim center back Kevin Akpoguma, Italian-born Rangers fullback Calvin Bassey, Dutch-born Benfica loanee Tyronne Ebuehi and Belgian-born Racing Genk loanee Cyriel Dessers.

Sunderland academy product Josh Maja, Leicester City winger Ademola Lookman, Reading midfielder Ovie Ejaria and West Brom central defender Semi Ajayi, who were all born in England, have all missed out.

Here's how Super Eagles fans reacted to Nigeria Football Federation's squad announcement on Facebook :

Luke Udomsinachi Victor : "Kalvin Philips made the England's Euro list because of performance.Why can't Ademola Lookman make this team. Great choice to include Dennis...let's see if he will get game time."

Noah Bature : "Where is Tyrone Ebuehi now, habba."

Edwin Chukwuemeka : "What is the reason of convincing the foreign born players to play for Nigeria and not giving them a chance, where ademola lokman, Cyril desser, Calvin bassey, Kelvin Akpoguma, who plays week in week out, desser scoring goals, iheanacho what is doing there, so ameruo who plays in second division is better than Kelvin.....".


Tsembelee Daniel Sorkaa : "Great Team List except that Kelvin and Bassey would have been there instead of Ekong and Omeruo".

Evangelist Obum Akawor : "Tyrone Ebuehi's omission on this list is a big minus. The attack, on paper, looks formidable.Wishing the team well for the AFCON tournament."

Ayodun Oluwaseun Sakibu : "I would have love to have Akpoguma, Bassey and Ebuehi. These are players that can help our recent defensive problems but ex coach Rohr never gave them enough time to showcase what they've got.
Not a bad list though! Let's fly to Cameroon".

Okoh Ifeanychukwu Samuel : "What’s the rationale behind leaving out Akpoguma who features regularly as a right full back for his club in a top 5 league and Abdulahi Shehu who is a bench warning defensive midfielder in his Cyprus club is invited as a right full back? Unbelievable."

Christopher A Foga : "Where is Ademola lookman the leicester city man."

Olokodana Micheal Adedamola : "Desser, Bassey, Innocent should have been included but then no list no matter how good it is will be accepted by all... "

Olawale Olufemi : "I expected ademola lookman ahead of moses Simon. Also, I did not expect Kevin akpoguma playing top flight football in Germany would be dropped over some of our current defenders. NFF should amplify the process of conversion of Eberechi Eze to the Eagles."

Eddiano Giovanni Vicky : "Believe it or not Tyrone Ebuehi is the best nigeria right back where is kelvin akpoguma?"

Joseph Igwe : "A list without Tyrone Ebuehu is rubbish".

Iteogu Godwin : "Bassey , Nigerias best defender these past couple of months not there?".

Oladimeji Darey Samuel : "Where is akpoguma Tyrone ebuehi and Cyril dessers. Is shehu better than ebuehi and akpoguma?"

Amaeze Onyegbule Favour : "Akpoguma, bassey are not included... and shehu is included".

Cescity Ben Peru : "Bassy is better and most inform defender.What are we doing with four gp?"

Tony Jekwu : "Halogen has no business in this squad. I do mot know what Kelvin akpoguma or Calvin bassey is not invited. Balogun na koalas abeg".
 

Igho Kingsley