Ajax striker, Chuba Akpom, has observed that it has been a “difficult time” for him as he is poised to spend the March international break without international participation.
Chuba Akpom was born in England to Nigerian parents,, allowing him eligible to play in any nation.
Though he has played for England’s age-grade teams until the under-21 level, he was not judged worthy to be selected to the country’s senior national squad.
Hence, in 2019, the 28-year-old striker opted to transfer his allegiance to Nigeria with the intention of getting on the Super Eagles roster.
The greatest opportunity he had to make the national team was during the 2022-2023 season while at Middlesbrough. In that season, Chuba Akpom scored 28 goals in 40 EFL Championship games.
He concluded the season with Player of The Year and Players’ Player of The Year accolades, but nevertheless, he was not considered for a berth in the Super Eagles.
Even when he went to Ajax ahead of the 2023-2024 season expecting to garner more attention from the national team, he wasn’t looked upon as he battled to establish himself at the club.
Chuba Akpom was supposed to be named in the Super Eagles squad for the international friendlies against Ghana and Mali, which are slated to take place on March 22 and 26, respectively, but was omitted, which left him free in this month’s international break.
“I’m going back to London and spending time with my family because it’s been a difficult time for all of us,” Akpom told reporters in the Netherlands.
“We need to calm down mentally and clear our heads so that we can end the season on a positive note.”
Note that if Chuba Akpom is summoned to the Super Eagles, he could stay on the bench since he is now ranked behind the likes of Victor Osimhen of Napoli, Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen, Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest, Paul Onuachu of Trabzonspor, and even Terem Moffi of OGC Nice.