Three Super Eagles Players Whose 2019 AFCON Places Are Threatened

Izuchukwu Okosi looks at the possibility of some Super Eagles players losing their places in the team ahead of the 2019 AFCON in Egypt due to their inconsistent form, injuries or by the sheer quality and encouraging form of other players in their positions.

1. Leon Balogun

The Brighton & Hove central defender has played just ten games in all competitions this season; eight in the Premier League and two FA Cup matches.

Currently injured and never seem to be able to break the Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy duopoly, Balogun's place in the Super Eagles is threatened by the consistent performances of Kenneth Omeruo and William Troost-Ekong who on current form, should both be ahead of Balogun in the Eagles' pecking order.


2. Kelechi Iheanacho

Kelechi Iheanacho played just eight minutes in Leicester City's 2-1 defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road on Sunday in Brendan Rodgers' first game in charge of the Foxes.

Iheanacho, with just one league goal to his credit so far has been playing bit part roles for his team of late, starting only nine and coming off the bench 16 times in 25 league appearances.

The issue is not Iheanacho's talent which is never in doubt but he has not worked hard enough like the up and coming strikers who are hungry. His 2018 World Cup performance hasn't helped his cause though.


3. Simeon Nwankwo

Before the 2018 World Cup, Simy set the Serie A alight with promising displays but Crotone have been relegated to the second tier of Italian club football and all that expectations have gone down.

The beanpole striker impressed in Nigeria's pre-World Cup friendly against DR Congo but things have gone south despite two games played in Russia.

The form of strikers like Stephen Odey and Paul Onuachu means competition for Nwankwo who has notched up six league goals so far.

Izuchukwu Okosi