Peseiro explains why Orban, Boniface were not named in Super Eagles AFCONQ squad

Nigeria manager Jose Peseiro has revealed exactly why Belgian-based duo Gift Orban and Victor Boniface were omitted from the Super Eagles squad list for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone. 

The Ebony Shoe nominees directly participated in 56 goals (42 goals, 14 assists) between them in the recently concluded season, and their omission from the 23-player roster announced last Friday did not go down well with Super Eagles fans and pundits alike, who felt that they deserved a place ahead of Nigeria's most capped player in  history, Ahmed Musa. 

Peserio has clarified that Orban and Boniface would have been called up but he couldn't name more than three center forwards on his roster and stressed that he went for the in-form Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi, with whom he has worked together in the past. 

The Portuguese football tactician scouted the KAA Gent and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise strikers in April with a view to handing them their first call-ups to the Super Eagles, and he has admitted that they are quality players. 

Speaking to reporters, Peseiro explained: "Orban and Boniface could come for the camp, even I spent my own money visiting them. I was in France, Belgium, Italy, Spain and England. I spent my own money. 

"For that I like to call them but if I call them I need to put some of these players out. I only called nineteen, I believe in the players but due to the financial situation I called only nineteen foreign based players. If I could invite more, of course, Orban, Boniface or others would have been called up.

"I understand the situation and have to help the Nigeria Football Federation, for that I called 19. If we have a decisive match, it's better I call the players that I know better. Normally they work with me, these nineteen players, all the time. "

Peseiro continued: "Boniface and Orban, the others, have time for sure because I believe in them and for that I visited them. They did a fantastic job.

"They may be sad after playing very well and were not invited, but Taiwo Awoniyi played well also for Nottingham Forest, Osimhen also. 

"Musa is a winger not a striker. You cannot compare Musa with Orban or Boniface. I cannot choose five strikers. Some players don't spend nothing, I spend for them.

"I believe in them. They must still work well in their clubs. They have an opportunity to play for the national team because they are quality players."

The Super Eagles, under the guidance of Peseiro, held their first training session at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Monday, with majority of te invited players in attendance. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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