The decision not to hand game time to the duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Terem Moffi at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast is the sole decision of head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Iheanacho is yet to be given a minute of action despite making full recovery and impressing in training since missing the he first game. It is the same for Moffi who was called up as a replacement for Victor Boniface.
In all of the four Super Eagles games at the tournament, Moffi has only made the match day squad twice while Iheanacho has been present for three straight squad as an unused substitute.
Reacting to the development, a member of the backroom staff said it is down to the manager who is using his new found authority to clamp down on acts of indiscipline to keep every player in check.
” They had issues with him (Peseiro) prior to the tournament and it is why Moffi was on standby earlier on. For Iheanacho it is the same situation of indiscipline not at the AFCON but in games before the tournament”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.
Speaking furthest he said tactical reasons and game moments has also played a role in the decision not to play the duo so far at the tournament, with the decision to revert to a 3-4-3 formation giving an edge to players who can cover grounds and put in a shift defensively for the team.
” Iheanacho has played mainly on the right in recent games for the team and for now the formation requires who can track back and that isn’t his strength. We also don’t play with a two man attack meaning his role behind the striker isn’t available. Moffi is very similar to Victor Osimhen. Paul Onuachu is ahead of him because he brings something entirely different”, he concluded.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman