No Africa Cup for Kevin Akpoguma. The TSG Hoffenheim defensive all-rounder is surprisingly not in Nigeria’s line-up for the continental tournament, which takes place in Cameroon from 9 January to 6 February 2022.
28 professionals have been named by national coach Augustine Eguavoen in his provisional squad – with Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers), Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn), Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli) and Taiwo Awoniyi (1. FC Union) also Bundesliga-experienced forces.
But Akpoguma will be dispensed with by the “Super Eagles” interim coach, who has just taken over for Gernot Rohr. The Mannheim-born coach had come in for criticism, and in mid-December the West African country’s association parted ways with Rohr. Under the 68-year-old, Akpoguma had debuted in Nigeria’s senior team in 2020 – after a sub career in the DFB youth teams.
Re-start on 2 January
TSG coach Sebastian Hoeneß had recently expected to have to replace Diadie Samassekou (Mali) as well as Akpoguma for at least the first two second-round matches and the DFB Cup round of 16 against SC Freiburg on 19 January.
On that day, the Nigerians will play their last group match against Guinea-Bissau. Now things will be different and Akpoguma, like the rest of the Hoffenheim squad, should start the (short) preparation for the second half of the season on 2 January. A surprise for the 26-year-old, but probably a bitter one.
