AFCON 2023: Why Brentford will survive in my absence— Frank Onyeka

Frank Onyeka has been named in Jose Peseiro’s 25-man squad list for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament

Brentford’s midfielder, Frank Onyeka, showers confidence in his team’s ability to cope with the potential absence of African players during the impending Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.

With the AFCON set to kick off on January 13, Onyeka, a crucial figure in Brentford’s squad, is set to depart for national team duties after making Jose Peseiro’s 25-man squad list.

The recent five-game losing streak against teams like Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Wolves, and Brighton presents a challenging scenario for Brentford, particularly with key players set to be absent during the AFCON tournament.

However, despite the team’s recent struggles, Onyeka trusts in the squad’s resilience to navigate this tough period during his absence.

“It’s not going to be easy. But I know the team – they are strong,” shared the 25-year-old with BBC Sport Africa.

According to the Nigerian international, Brentford has enough players to replace the absent players:  “When someone leaves, another person is there to take their place.”

Anticipating his role in Nigeria’s Super Eagles squad, Onyeka expressed his eagerness to represent his country at this prestigious tournament.

“It’s an honour to wear the green and white shirt,” he affirmed. “I was a boy playing in the streets of Nigeria, and now I’m representing the Super Eagles at AFCON.”

Onyeka is gearing up for his second AFCON appearance in January, as Nigeria aims for their fourth AFCON trophy with a fixture against Cote d’Ivoire.

Reflecting on his journey, the Super Eagles midfielder expressed his excitement about participating in the tournament.

“It is a dream come true because after watching AFCON legends in past years, now you’re going to be part of the team. I’m looking forward to it so much.”  Said the Brentford midfielder.

With experience from the previous AFCON edition, Onyeka made his debut against Guinea Bissau in a 2-0 victory for Nigeria.