Jose Peseiro, Head Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria has openly revealed why Gift Orban and Jordan Torunarigha, were unable to make their much-anticipated debut for the Super Eagles during the final Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sao Tome and Principe on Sunday.
While the Super Eagles soared to a resounding 6-0 victory over the Patriots, fans eagerly awaited the introduction of the KAA Gent duo.
However, Coach Peseiro had valid reasons for delaying their debut.
Regarding Gift Orban, Peseiro explained that the player had been dealing with muscle pain, making it unwise to risk him in the match.
The coach emphasized the importance of seeking permission from the club when dealing with injured players and highlighted the strong relationship between the national team and the clubs.
As for Jordan Torunarigha, Coach Peseiro clarified that he had a tactical strategy in mind.
With the option to field eleven players and make use of five substitutes, Peseiro opted to introduce other players, such as Raphael Onyedika and Tyronne, during the match.
This decision allowed Jordan time to adjust and prepare for his debut in future matches.
While Torunarigha may have appeared disappointed when Onyedika was called in as the final substitution against Sao Tome and Principe, it was all part of Coach Peseiro’s calculated plan.
With the successful completion of the AFCON qualification journey, Nigeria now eagerly anticipates its next international engagement against Lesotho in November, where to hope to see the duo finally make their official debut.
The Super Eagles team is poised to kickstart their journey to the 2026 World Cup, and the stage will be set at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
