“Playing for Nigeria is not your right”- Eguaveon tells Super Eagles stars
Coach Austin Eguaveon says the current Super Eagles players should count themselves lucky to be in Nigeria’s African Cup of Nations squad.
Eguaveon made this known while speaking on Super Eagles’ commitment to the forthcoming AFCON in Cameroon.
The Eagles will be without regulars Victor Osimhen, Oghenekaro Etebo, Leon Balogun and Shehu Abdullahi for the tournament.
One of the players drafted into the squad as cover is West Bromwich Albion defender, Semi Ajayi who has been out of the squad since 2019.
Others are Slavia Prague’s forward Peter Olayinka and Olimpiakos of Greece forward Henry Onyekuru.
Eguaveon praised Ajayi for making himself available, despite the short notice, but advised the players to grab the opportunity with both hands as he believes playing or coaching the national is a privilege and not a right.
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“Semi Ajayi, obviously he was not on the 28-man list, but he was on the alternate list. Kevin Akpoguma was on the alternate list, Onyekuru and co.
“And then we reached out to Semi, he jumped at it. I think that is the spirit we want because it’s not a right for everybody to coach and play for Nigeria, it’s a privilege.
“If it is not coming, we have to take it, if it comes, you have to grab it so that’s where we are,” Egavoen told NFF TV.