Super Eagles Coach Jose Peseiro has cleared the air on why winger Gift Orban couldn’t feature against Sao Tome and Principe npflupdates.com reports.
Speculations spread that the Togo national team agitated following a Super Eagles invitation for Gift Orban. Orban was first invited to the national team, thanks to his wonderful performances for KAA Gent.
Orban since joining Gent last season, has scored over twenty goals in the Belgian Pro League. And at the moment, is the player with the record for fastest hat-trick in a UEFA competition.
Also read: Gift Orban Praised By Coach After European Hat-trick
And this season he has scored twice in four league games for Gent.
According to Peseiro, it’s not the media pressure orchestrated by the media in Togo that made him leave out Orban on the bench. The Portuguese tactician stressed that Gift Orban sustained a late muscle injury, and cannot be stressed.
Peseiro explains absence of Gift Orban against Sao Tome and Principe
“Orban felt something in his muscles, he cannot play with Injury of course. Because we need to show responsibility as a team,” Peseiro revealed to Owngoal said.
“For the club we have a good connection with the club’s. And we can not play injury player for nothing.”
Also speaking about the absence of Jordan Torunarigha in the team, Peseiro explained his hands were tied. In his words, Jordan can get a game time in the future.
“About Jordan, I can only pick 11 and bring in 5 substitutes. I made the decision that stopped him from playing. Onyedika has been here two times this is the first time he is playing. Tyronne Ebuehi also. Jordan is his first time and he has time,” he said.
“It was me who spoke with him last season and asked him if he wants to play with us. He said okay he will do anything possible to play with us. He didn’t play today, he can play in the future.”
In a related development, Peseiro, appreciated the indigenous people of AkwaIbom and the state government for their support to the national team.
AkwaIbom state government ensured the Super Eagles enjoyed a physical morale boost by throwing open stadium gates.
“I’ll like to say congratulations to the people and Government of Akwa Ibom. Because what I see today was a fantastic atmosphere,” he said.
“The fans were fantastic today, I say thank you. I like the people here, everything provided for us was good.”
Also, the former Sporting CP gaffer, appreciated the Super Eagles for playing with maximum commitment despite its weaker opponent.
Also read: Gift Orban : I Always Visit My Togolese People But I’m For Super Eagles
“Our players played with maximum commitment. They want to play for me, I assembled them to win AFCON Cup and today they have shown good commitment in their play,” he stated.
“Normally if you play against a team that is not strong everybody relax. But today they did not relax. It is fantastic game by the players, 6-0 is very good,” he added.
Wilfred Ndidi who spome on behalf the players, said the score line will motivate them in future competitions, as they will be preparing for the World Cup qualifier.
He said, “Of course when you win a game it gives you more confidence. It is actually a good game that will give us more confidence for the next game of world cup qualifier, of course 6-0 is good confidence for next game.”
