Chima Akas has insisted that he is not bothered about being snubbed for the upcoming 2022 World Cup playoff matches against Ghana, despite playing in one of the top six leagues in Europe.
Nigeria’s caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen has handed invitations to two left-backs in Rangers ace Calvin Bassey and Porto star Zaidu Sanusi and a third player, Ola Aina could provide cover in that area if required.
The 27-year-old Akas has spoken of his happiness at captaining his Portuguese top-flight club Belenenses SAD in a couple of matches at the start of the 2021-2022 season.
“I think the reason I was given the captain’s armband is because of my experience and maybe they saw I’ve captained the national team before with the home based Super Eagles,” Akas told allnigeriasoccer.com.
Akas has been in the international wilderness for more than five years, with his last cap for the Super Eagles earned in an international friendly against Tunisia on January 22, 2016.
“Everybody has his qualities. We play differently. I won’t say this is the quality that I have that the other players in the current Super Eagles don’t have, maybe their style is different from mine.
“It is what the coach prefers, what he wants, what kind of team he’s building.
“The national team snub does not bother me because I have been there before so I know how everything works, maybe I need to keep working hard and someday they will recall me to the national team.
“I have been there 2014-2016, it is a privilege to play for your own country.
“I think Zaidu Sanusi is getting called up because he’s playing for Porto but I’m still playing in the same Primeira Liga but that doesn’t bother me much.
“Every time I pray for the national team so that everything goes well. The coaches know the best,” Akas added.
Chima Akas on captaining Belenenses, national team snub, Zaidu Sanusi, Nigeria vs Ghana
