A former Arsenal star has reacted to his latest snub by a giant of African football, which comes just months after he was left out of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations squad too.
Various nations have, by now, confirmed their squads for this international break, including 2023 AFCON finalists Nigeria.
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Last week, the Super Eagles named their 26-man squad for their international friendlies against Ghana and Mali, which are set to take place on 22 and 26 March.
Augustine Eguavoen, director of the Nigeria Football Federation's technical department, has been named the side's interim coach until a permanent manager is confirmed following Jose Peseiro's departure at the beginning of this month.
Eguavoen named five forwards in his squad for the upcoming friendlies, namely Umar Sadiq (Real Sociedad), Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest), and Cyriel Dessers (Rangers).
Yet again, however, there was no place for Ajax Amsterdam talisman Chuba Akpom, who joined the Dutch club from Middlesbrough for a fee of €12.3 million (R253 million) at the beginning of the season.
The 28-year-old has scored 11 goals in all competitions this term, making him the third-highest scorer for the Eredivisie giants this campaign.
Despite his sensational 2022/23 campaign in the English second tier – he was named the PFA Championship Players' Player of the Year after scoring 28 goals in 40 games – Akpom was snubbed for the AFCON in January and February by Nigeria.
The striker, who came through Arsenal's youth academy, declared his allegiance for the Super Eagles in 2019, opting to not represent England at senior level despite featuring prominently for various Three Lions youth sides.
However, since then, he is yet to receive a call-up from the African nation, with the current break marking yet another snub.
Speaking recently on the fact that he now, once again, has now international football obligations over the next two weeks, Akpom admitted he is not happy with the way things have panned out.
"I'm going back to London and spending time with my family because it's been a difficult time for all of us," he said, according to Ajax Life.
"We need to calm down mentally and clear our heads so that we can end the season on a positive note."
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The centre-forward was born in London to Nigerian parents, and has had spells at Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as overseas stints in Belgium and Greece.
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