'I wasn't called up' - Bayer Leverkusen's Nathan Tella yearned to play for Super Eagles in AFCON 

Bayer Leverkusen winger Nathan Tella has admitted that he was disappointed to miss out on the Super Eagles squad to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. 

The Arsenal academy product was named in the country's provisional squad for the tournament in Ivory Coast but omitted from the final roster, with manager Jose Peseiro opting to select Moses Simon. Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze and Ahmed Musa as the wingers in his 25-man squad list.

Born in England, Tella has committed his international future to the Super Eagles and became cap-tied to the three-time African champions when he was handed a surprise start in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe back in November. 

On making his debut for the Super Eagles, Tella said to Bundesliga International: "It was good. I have always wanted to play international football. I never played international football when I was younger.

"So, for me, it was my first experience to be part of an international team and it was good! It was a good opportunity to play and see what international football was like. In my head, I wanted to play in the African Cup of Nations and I wasn’t called up.

"I was quite disappointed but then, at the same time, I looked at it as an opportunity to play here."

On a positive note, Tella, a bit-part player for Bayer Leverkusen before the AFCON, got more game time over the duration of the tournament in Ivory Coast. 

And he repaid manager Xabi Alonso's faith by registering four goal involvements (3 goals, 1 assist) in four Bundesliga appearances.

The Spanish coach could not count on the services of Odilon Kossounou (Ivory Coast), Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso) and Amine Adli (Morocco) due to their participation at the AFCON, while a fourth player in Victor Boniface was unavailable for selection after sustaining an injury during Nigeria's pre-AFCON training camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 

"We had four players – obviously Victor Boniface got injured – but if there are four players out, I would have more opportunity and I believe I did. 

"I was able to play more and able to score. Obviously, I was disappointed Nigeria didn’t win it but for my teammate Odilon (Kossounou), I am really happy for him as well," Tella added. 

Tella is back playing second fiddle at Bayer Leverkusen, logging eight minutes in the club's first two league games since the end of the Africa Cup of Nations. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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