Head coach of Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, has revealed why he is yet to play the likes of Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho, Francis Uzoho, Chidozie Awaziem, among others at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Portuguese tactician had taken 25 players to the 2023 AFCON, and Nigeria has played two matches but the aforementioned names have not graced the pitch.
Nigeria which faced Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast last week is taking on Guinea-Bissau today, Monday in its final group stage match.
When asked about his players at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Guinea-Bissau gam AFCON, Peseiro said he wants to play all of them at once, but that cannot happen due to the rule of football, and the players are aware of that limitation.
He said; “Till now we have not played Uzoho, Ojo, Chidozie, Bruno Onyemaechi, Onyedika, Ahmed, Kelechi and Moffi—eight players.
“I would like to put all of them; even if the referee allows me, I put 25 on the pitch but he doesn’t allow it. The main point here, and my players know, is our team, the Super Eagles. They deserve to play but I cannot replace more than five; I cannot start more than 11.”
