Nice boss reacts to Moffi’s omission from Eagles’ AFCON squad
OGC Nice manager Francesco Farioli faced the media today ahead of his side’s Coupe de France match against Auxerre and one of the topics he touched on was Terem Moffi’s omission from the Super Eagles’ final Africa Cup of Nations squad.
Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has chosen four players classed as center forwards on his roster namely Victor Boniface, Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho and Umar Sadiq.
It has been argued in some quarters that Moffi should have been selected over Sadiq who has blown hot and cold since recovering from a career threatening cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for almost the whole of last season.
The OGC Nice striker has been an almost ever-present in the Super Eagles side since Peseiro’s appointment, considering the fact he has been called up for all the matches played by the national team with the exception of the internationals last June.
Farioli highlighted that Moffi was disappointed to be left out of the Super Eagles’ AFCON squad but he’s now focused on the upcoming match against Auxerre.
“I have two different feelings (on the absence of Moffi at the Africa Cup of Nations). On the one hand, regret because Terem Moffi cared a lot to represent his country, his family and his friends,” Farioli told reporters.
READ ALSO: NFF signs strategic partnership deal with GTI
“But on the other hand, he is our best recruit of January and we are happy that he is with us.
“He trained with a very positive mindset with the desire to do well and put himself at the disposal of the team. We see him very focused and very determined.
“The disappointment is gone and he is focused on the next match.”
Moffi helped the Super Eagles qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring two goals in three games.