Eguavoen sets the record straight on reports alleging that Dessers, Arokodare were snubbed for Iheanacho

Super Eagles interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has set the record straight on viral reports that he snubbed Glasgow Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers and KRC Genk forward Tolu Arokodare for Kelechi Iheanacho due to the latter's experience.

The omission of Dessers and Arokodare has been one of the talking points since the 23-man list for the two consecutive games against Libya in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers was released.

The argument has been that the duo are in better form than Iheanacho who is still struggling to find his feet with Sevilla since joining the Spanish side in the last transfer window.

Arokodare has six goals in 10 Jupiler Pro League games this season while Dessers has not fared badly, scoring seven goals across all competitions for Rangers.

In contrast, Iheanacho is yet to score a goal for Sevilla and has been playing second fiddle to Isaac Romero who has started all but one game that he has been named in the matchday squad for García Pimienta's side.

When asked by Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe if he had altered the list he sent out weeks ago, Eguavoen replied: "It's quite unfortunate because we hear a lot of things, stories in social media which is not one hundred percent correct. I don't think I've ever discussed this list with anyone and we kept it in-house until we came out with a final 23 which is not so easy. 

"I saw on some platform about Eguavoen clears the air on why some player have to come in. I didn't speak with anybody but people used ideas to find words.

"Provisional list was submitted and final list was also submitted few days ago because we had to wait for some information from left and right.

"You are the first person I'm discussing this with, not even the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, not even the General Secretary, nobody, so let people see how they can support me and the team because it's for Nigeria, it's not for me alone.

"We don't want distractions, whoever is in the position right now to do the job, just support him. Players or coaches it doesn't really matter because all of us are tying to achieve the same one goal.

"Distractions, I don't think it's the best thing right now. People throw up some things and then people in different platforms take it up and then it becomes a debate. It is not necessary, it is not healthy."

Iheanacho is one of the most experienced Super Eagles players at the moment, with 55 caps under his belt and he has notched 15 goals.

On the other hand, Dessers has managed just six caps and has scored two goals for Nigeria, while Arokodare is yet to get a call-up.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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