Eguaoven cites Russia-Ukraine conflict as reason for not naming CSKA star in 25-man squad

Super Eagles interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has stressed that CSKA Moscow winger Chidera Ejuke is still very much in his plans despite his omission from the 25-man squad for the upcoming 2022 World Cup playoff matches with Ghana.

Ejuke is among seven players on the reserve roster, the others being Chidozie Awaziem, Jamilu Collins,  Taiwo Awoniyi ,  Paul Onuachu , Peter Olayinka and Ogenyi Onazi.

The former SC Heerenveen dazzler was expected to play a key role for the Super Eagles at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations but was surprisingly a bit-part player in Cameroon, making only one start in the dead rubber clash against Guinea-Bissau.

Eguavoen has claimed that Ejuke found his game time limited during the AFCON because he was not at his best, adding that he wasn't called up for the games against Ghana in the light of recent events between Russia and Ukraine.

"Ejuke, very good player, I don't have to tell you all my plans. He's one player I adore a lot," Eguavoen said at a press briefing monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com.

"In the Africa Cup of Nations he played only one game (two, ed) because he was not at his best, reasons best known to him.

"We discussed but the outcome of the discussions I don't have to let you know, so he's still very much in our plans.

"Right now Russia and Ukraine is in turmoil and he's playing in that region as well."

Ejuke has earned eight caps for the Super Eagles, with seven of them in competitive games, since making his debut in an international friendly against Tunisia in October 2020.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel