'That player is not paid by the Federation' - Gent coach attacks Peseiro over Torunarigha's invitation

Published: October 07, 2023

KAA Gent coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck has slammed Nigeria's coaching staff led by Jose Peseiro over the invitation of Jordan Torunarigha to the Super Eagles squad for the October internationals against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique.

Vanhaezebrouck made it clear that the former Germany underage international recently recovered from injury and is concerned that the cental defender could suffer a relapse during the international break.

Torunarigha was given a rest for Gent's Europa Conference League meeting with Maccabi Tel Aviv due to a knock he suffered before the visit of the Israeli team to Belgium.

Vanhaezebrouck acknowledges that it is a tall order to reach an agreement with national team coaches because they want to win their games.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference before the Jupiler Pro League clash against Racing Genk, Vanhaezebrouck was quoted as saying by Het Nieuwsblad: "It becomes especially annoying if someone has been hurt for a while but is still called up and then has to play again.

“That player is not paid by the Federation and if we lose him and have him rehabilitated, it would be a shame if they drafted him anyway.

"Fair play does not participate at FIFA or UEFA level. They advertise that, but it is actually not in their values and standards.”

After Fifa approved his change of association from Germany to Nigeria, Torunarigha received his first Super Eagles call-up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe but he was not utilized off the bench.

Torunarigha's Gent teammate, Gift Orban, who is also a dual national and has had injury issues of his own, has not been named in Nigeria's latest squad list.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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