LaLiga ambassador calls out Iheanacho, 'soft' Osayi-Samuel for poor first half display against Rwanda

LaLiga ambassador and retired Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju was visibly disappointed following the Super Eagles historic 2-1 loss to Rwanda in their final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Nigeria's unbeaten run in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers came to an end at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, despite Samuel Chukwueze's stunning solo goal giving them the lead just before the hour mark. 

The Wasps staged a remarkable comeback, with Ange Mutsinzi and Innocent Nshuti finding the net to clinch an unexpected victory.

Kelechi Iheanacho was a surprising inclusion in the starting lineup to face the Wasps, given his underwhelming performance in last Thursday's 1-1 draw with the Republic of Benin.

Meanwhile, Fenerbahçe fullback Bright Osayi-Samuel was selected at right-back, filling in for Ola Aina, who returned to England after the game in Abidjan last week.

In truth, both Iheanacho and Osayi-Samuel struggled in the first half, as the majority of Rwanda's attacks came from the right flank, though the Sevilla forward had the best chance of the game to open the scoring with a snap shot that was fired straight at goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.

Speaking on SuperSport, 1994 Africa Cup of Nations-winning midfielder, Adepoju stopped short of questioning the invitation of Iheanacho to the Super Eagles given his poor form at Sevilla, and described Osayi-Samuel as a soft player.

He said during halftime of Monday evening's game: "I have not seen much of Iheanacho except the last shot that he took in the first half.

"I think he has not been functioning very well in that position and the defence too, Osayi has been very soft. Rwanda have been going through that position to make a pullout."

Adepoju acknowledged that Iheanacho has not done enough to merit a place in the Super Eagles squad.

Speaking at the end of the game, the former Real Madrid youth teamer said: "I think so too because looking at what he has been doing in his club with Sevilla, he has not been having enough minutes to warrant a call up to the Super Eagles. Now coming here and not showing what we used to know him for.

"I don't want to question why (he was called up), but definitely he has not been pulling his weight in the team.”

Since his omission from the Super Eagles squad for the high-profile friendly against Portugal in November 2022, Iheanacho has been consistently called up to the national team.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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