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AFCON 2027: Sylvanus Okpala criticises absence of Kelechi Iheanacho

By , based on Punch

Map: Nigeria

Former Nigerian international Sylvanus Okpala and Abiodun Obafemi dispute the absence of striker Kelechi Iheanacho from Nigeria's squad for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. The Bursaspor player has scored 17 goals and provided three assists in 14 league matches, ahead of the match against Tanzania, Punch reports.

Former Nigerian international Sylvanus Okpala believes Kelechi Iheanacho's performances should have earned him a place in Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle's squad for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Tanzania. Okpala nonetheless acknowledges that the final decision belongs to the coach, who must choose his players according to his tactical set-up, Punch reports.

Iheanacho, a Nigerian striker at Bursaspor, has scored 17 goals and provided three assists in 14 Turkish second-division matches this season, 20 attacking contributions in as many games. His last goal was scored in the 1-1 draw against Antalyaspor on 6 November, according to Punch. Chelle has selected six strikers in his squad: Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Taiwo Awoniyi and Moses Usor.

Iheanacho's exclusion comes after the call-up of 24 Nigerians by Éric Chelle for AFCON 2027, announced on 7 November.

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