The top scorer in the English Championship Chuba Akpom is showing no sign of slowing down yet as he was once again on target despite his team losing 2-4 to Huddersfield Town.
Akpom found the back of the net for the fifth game running with what ended as a consolation goal in the 77th minute. His 25th goal of the season, seven clear of his closest challenger for the top scorer award Viktor Gyökeres of Coventry City.
His form has also kept alive the dream of Middlesbrough to steal a promotion playoff spot, the 27 year old fromer Arsenal striker is one of the success stories of the reign of Michael Carrick as coach of the team.
AK-47 as the forward is called switched nationality to Nigeria in 2019 from England, where he played for their youth teams at different levels but poor club form has denied him a look in until now.
However, it seems he will still have to wait for his debut for the senior national team of Nigeria with head coach Jose Peseiro confirming during the international break that he isn’t part of his plans for now.
“If I give you one chance to take someone from my team and put him. Who will you remove? I like all my players. I like them and I understand you”, he responded to OGN editor in chief Mohammed Mowiz.
“It’s my job as the coach to choose the best player for our team but if I ask other guys or maybe the 120 million Nigerians . They can’t choose others but it’s my job and in my mind I choose the best players for our team.
“Of course I know this player., I have visit this player, you check this player. You know I visit many players at their clubs. If I choose this one in this moment. I believe more on him than the others . For that I am the coach, I take responsibility. If I loose cut my neck not your neck.
“I appreciate, I know this player, my staff also. We see these players for each weekend, we see 48 match, watching all the players. Yes he (Akpom) is a good player I know but in this moment. I don’t have enough confidence in him but in the future of course, it’s open for everyone”, he rounded up saying.
With his 25th goal of the season, he has once again put himself in the spotlight to be mentioned for a call up for the next round of international games in June.
Damian Waziri
