Chuba Akpom’s Commitment to Nigeria Despite National Snub
Nigerian forward Chuba Akpom remains unwavering in his commitment to represent the Super Eagles, even though he has yet to receive a national team call-up since switching allegiances in 2019.
Born in England to Nigerian parents, Akpom initially represented England at various youth levels, featuring in the U-16, U-17, U-19, U-20, and U-21 teams. However, in 2019, he opted to play for Nigeria, a decision inspired by his Nigerian heritage and a desire to contribute to the national team. Unfortunately, his wait for a senior call-up has continued despite consistent performances.
Impressive Club Performances with No Reward
Akpom has proven his goal-scoring prowess, particularly during his time at Middlesbrough, where he netted 28 goals and provided two assists in 40 appearances during the 2022/23 English Championship season. Many believed this form would secure his place in the Super Eagles squad, but he remained overlooked.
Following his move to Ajax, he has continued to impress, yet the national team snub persists. Recently, he provided a crucial assist in Ajax’s Europa League clash against Galatasaray, once again reminding selectors of his talent.
Akpom Speaks Out: Frustration But Hope
Speaking after Ajax’s Europa League game, Akpom opened up about his frustration at not receiving an invitation from the Super Eagles despite his loyalty and efforts.
“I don’t have a clue why I have not been invited to the Super Eagles, maybe because there are a lot of top strikers, of course,” Akpom stated. “But I think that for the nation to progress, it needs to be on merit. The players that are performing well need to be selected.”
“I try to give 100 percent. I’ve been waiting since 2019. I switched allegiances a long time ago. But if it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, I’ll just keep working hard.”
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Will Akpom Finally Get His Super Eagles Opportunity?
This season, Akpom has recorded eight goals and one assist in 32 appearances for Ajax. With the likes of Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface dominating Nigeria’s attacking options, competition is fierce. However, beyond those two, few Nigerian strikers are currently excelling at a top level.
If Akpom continues to improve and finds the back of the net more consistently, his chances of finally breaking into the Super Eagles setup could increase significantly.
With the AFCON 2025 qualifiers and the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaching, could Akpom finally receive his long-awaited call-up?
