Gift Orban and Jordan Torunarigha recently received their first Super Eagles call-up to face Sao Tome and Principe in their final AFCON qualifiers
Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, has shed light on why new invitees, Gift Orban and Jordan Torunarigha, did not feature in the recent Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Sao Tome and Principe, Soccernet.ng reports.
The highly-anticipated debut of the two KAA Gent stars for the Super Eagles did not materialize, as they did not get a minute on the field representing their country.
The 2013 AFCON champions hammered Sao Tome at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium with a score of 6 goals to nil, but they did without the help of Orban and Torunarigha.
Meanwhile, Peseiro speaking to the media, clarified that Orban experienced muscle pain, and it was imperative to follow the club’s rules, which required permission to field a player with an injury.
“Orban felt pain in the muscles. He cannot play with an injury because we have to take permission from the club. We have a good relationship with the clubs,” Peseiro explained.
Meanwhile, Jordan Torunarigha, the former Hertha BSC star who recently expressed his intention to play for the Super Eagles, had to wait for his chance.
Peseiro pointed out that he had limited substitutions in the match and that Torunarigha would have his opportunity in the future.
“About Jordan, I can put eleven players with five substitutes. Onyedika came two times and for the first time he played, Tyronne also. Jordan was the first time; he has time.”
Head coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, has revealed why he didn't feature new Super Eagles invitees, Gift Orban, and Jordan Torunarigha.
He said; “Orban felt pain in the muscles. He cannot play with injury because we have to take permission from the club. We have a good… pic.twitter.com/5eLNCj9tic
— Ayomide Oguntimehin (@ayo_oguntimehin) September 11, 2023
The Super Eagles secured a comfortable victory over Sao Tome and Principe, concluding their AFCON qualification group with 15 points.
Your explanation is unacceptable. It was just an makeshift match that new players were supposed to be used as experiment. The Super Eagles had already qualified for the afcon tournament and there wasn’t any dicey situation.