Onuachu was notably omitted from the 24-man roster announced by head coach José Peseiro on Saturday, despite his strong form in Turkey.

With eight goals in the Turkish Süper Lig this season, the forward recently clinched the October Player of the Month award, making his exclusion all the more surprising.

The decision has raised eyebrows, particularly given Nigeria’s limited striking options beyond Victor Osimhen, the standout forward currently leading the attack. Onuachu’s omission comes at a time when he has been one of Europe’s top-scoring Nigerians, leaving fans and pundits questioning the selection.

Despite the disappointment, Onuachu quickly demonstrated his worth. In Trabzonspor’s 1-1 draw with Alanyaspor on Saturday, he scored the only goal for his team. In the 15th minute, Onuachu latched onto a pass from Mustafa Eskihellac, deftly maneuvered around his defenders, and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to put Trabzonspor ahead.

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Onuachu’s impressive display was a clear reminder of his goal-scoring abilities, but it wasn’t the only notable exclusion from Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming World Cup playoff clash against Gabon in Rabat on November 13. Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, currently on loan at Pisa from Inter Milan, was also left out despite solid performances in Serie B. Akinsanmiro, praised for his energy, creativity, and ball control, had been widely anticipated to earn a call-up.

After missing out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Nigeria is determined to secure their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aiming to return to the tournament for the first time since 2018.

Source: Punch