2023 AFCON Qualifier: Nigerians shocked at Orban, Boniface snub

Super Eagles players pose for a team photo before their AFCON qualifier against Guinea-Bissau. Photo: The NFF.

Nigerians have expressed shock at the ommission of KAA Gent of Belgium striker, Gift Orban and Victor Boniface of Royale Union Saint Gilloise from the latest Super Eagles squad.

Coach José Santos Peseiro on Friday unveiled his 23-man squad for the Super Eagles’ upcoming 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sierra Leone.

While the roster includes notable names like Victor Osimhen and William Troost-Ekong, the exclusion of Orban and Boniface has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions among football enthusiasts.

Many football fans have begun to wonder why Peseiro left out two players who were in exceptional form and created waves in their respective divisions in Belgium during the 2022/23 season.

The explosive Orban scored 15 goals in 16 league matches since joining Gent only in January. The 20-year-old also scored 20 goals in 22 games in all competitions for Gent.

He scored six goals in four play-off games and bagged nine goals in the regular league season. Also in this season’s UEFA Europa Conference League, Orban had five goals in six games.

Similarly, Boniface, who emerged as the top scorer in the Europa League for the 2022-23 season with six goals, seemed destined for a call-up to the national team.

Orban and Boniface, were, however, snubbed by Peseiro and the Nigerian Football Federation who instead called up the likes of Ahmed Musa and Moses Simon who have been perilously out of form.

This led to Nigerian football lovers venting their anger on social media, especially Twitter since the list was released by Peseiro on Friday morning.

“Ahmed Musa has had a brilliant Super Eagles career but it’s time to