As players travel for international duties ahead of the break, Ajax striker, Chuba Akpom, admits it’s been a difficult time after being snubbed by the Super Eagles, adding that he will be travelling to London to spend time with his family, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Akpom has no national obligations despite making himself available for the Eagles since switching his allegiance to Nigeria ahead of England.
Despite a fantastic 2022/23 season with Middlesbrough, where he emerged as the EFL Championship’s top scorer with 28 goals in 40 league appearances and also won the Player of The Year and Players’ Player of The Year awards, the 28-year-old was never considered for the national team.
After being overlooked for the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast following a poor start to life in the Dutch league, the striker is once again set to be without any obligation for the international window.
“I’m going back to London and spending time with my family because it’s been a difficult time for all of us,” Akpom said, speaking of his plans for the short break.
“We need to calm down mentally and clear our heads so that we can end the season on a positive note.”
Born in London to Nigerian parents, Akpom is a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
Having represented England at youth and U-21 levels, he announced his decision to switch his international allegiance to represent Nigeria in 2019.
Akpom’s inability to get an invitation to the Nigerian national team is largely due to the wealth of attacking options available in the Eagles squad.
Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Taiwo Awoniyi, Paul Onuachu and Terem Moffi are all ahead of Akpom in the pecking order.
Nigeria face Ghana at the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco March 22 before squaring up with Mali four days later.
