Super Eagles vice-captain William Troost-Ekong will not be involved when Nigeria face South Africa and the Benin Republic in crucial World Cup qualifiers next month, Soccernet.ng reports.
The PAOK defender was not included in the Super Eagles' 23-man squad released to the public by the Nigeria Football Federation on Friday, May 24.
Coach Finidi George invited three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders, and eight attackers, as Nigeria look to get their wobbly qualifying campaign back on track.
The four recognised centre-backs on the list are Fulham's Calvin Bassey, Boavista's Chidozie Awaziem, West Brom's Semi Ajayi, and Tanzania-based Benjamin Tanimu.
With experienced Kenneth Omeruo not invited and Calvin Bassey likely to play as a left-back, the heart of Nigeria's defence looked lightweight. This has caused many fans to question the decision of coach Finidi to snub Troost-Ekong.
Why Troost-Ekong is not involved
Head coach Finidi George is right not to invite William Troost-Ekong for the qualifiers because the Super Eagles star has not played a single match in over three months.
Troost-Ekong was the Best Player at the Africa Cup of Nations where he scored three goals to help Nigeria reach the finals. However, the 30-year-old played half of the Super Eagles games at that tournament with injury.
He returned to his Greek club to discover that his injury was more severe than earlier diagnosed and he would require surgery.
Barely two weeks after the end of the AFCON, the PAOK defender had surgery in Finland to repair a ruptured biceps femoris in his right leg. He was expected to miss the rest of the season for club, and definitely for country.
Troost-Ekong slowly worked his way back from the sidelines and early this month he finally joined PAOK in full training.
He, however, was not considered for selection as PAOK rounded up their league campaign, becoming the champions of Greece once again.
With Troost-Ekong not having featured for a single second in a competitive match since mid-February, it would have been unwise for anyone to expect any quality performance from the defender against South Africa and Benin.
The games against the Bafana Bafana and the Cheetahs have been tagged ‘must-win' matches for Nigeria and rightly so.
And it is only professional of the coaching crew to treat it with every seriousness the games demand.
Nigeria have several other quality defenders who can step in and get the job done for Finidi and co.
In the absence of Troost-Ekong, Finidi will bank on the qualities of Bassey, Ajayi, Tanimu, and Awaziem to get the needed results and get Nigeria's World Cup campaign back on track.
And why was Ola Aina not invited? I hope Finidi knows what he’s doing. He needs experience in the back. Not having Ekong, Omeruo, and Aina in the back four robs the team of the neccessary experience in that area of the field. I don’t think Aina is reported to be nursing any injury and he has been consistent for Nottingham Forest since he came back from his AFCON induced injuries. We cannot afford to miss the World Cup again.
i wasn’t expecting Troost ekong to be called up,it’s too early….but wot about Aina? we need more information on his absence,hez a very good quality players who can play on eida side of defense….I’m certain hez injured,he wouldn’t miss dis for d world or maybe he asked to be left out 4 personal reasons? it’s like he had a really stressful season….just speculations,we need clarity on d matter,hez a fan favorite…
is Dele bashiru better Dan Aribo? dat question is begging 4 answer…
It’s a good squad,best of luck….
Make Finidi no do Wetin we Go swear give am sha. How you no go invite Aina? Omo
Ainas absence needs explaination here considering the fact that ,. the team as it is now does not have a natural left back .In anycase , best of luck to Finidi .
what the outcome now, finidi needs to be sacked he is a wrong choice coach