'Peseiro's assistant came to see our game' - Nwakali hoping to gatecrash Super Eagles' AFCON squad again

Former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles captain Kelechi Nwakali is hoping to gatecrash the Super Eagles' Africa Cup of Nations squad for the second tournament running. 

Augustine Eguavoen, who was the Super Eagles interim coach for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and a huge fan of Nwakali, went out of his way to include the talented midfielder in the 28-man finalized squad list for the tournament in Cameroon despite his omission from the provisional roster submitted by the Nigerian Federation. 

Nwakali has been arguably the standout player for a GD Chaves side who have blown hot and cold this season and picked up the Man of the Match accolade in their most recent outing against Vizela.

Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro confirmed after Nwakali completed his transfer to Chaves that the player was recommended to him and he was being monitored  with a view to an invitation to the national team.

The 25-year-old has now revealed that one of Peseiro's assistants came to check him out during one of Chaves' matches earlier in the season. 

"As for the Super Eagles, I have spoken to the assistant coach once, he came to see our game and then I believe and wish hopefully I will be part of the team," Nwakali told allnigeriasoccer.com after the end of Chaves' recovery workout on Saturday morning.

"Every player wants to represent his country and I keep working hard and believing that one day I will get a call-up to represent Nigeria again.

"Making the AFCON squad, it's still possible, it's still open. It all depends on the coach what he wants. He is the one to make the decision of who is going to be part of the team.

"What I will do is to keep doing my best, keep working, whatever happens God willing make the team.

"I have had descent games this season. Yesterday coming out as the Man of the Match was a reward for hard work and being consistent. There is a lot of improvement in my game this season."

GD Chaves currently sit 15th in the 18-team Liga Portugal table and are only outside the relegation spots on goal difference.

"It has been kind of difficult this season but at the same time the win yesterday is going to give the team a very good motivation to move on from there. 

"If we are able to get two or three wins in a row it's going to help the team go up very well. That's the focus now and the next game try to get another win to boost the team up and continue from there," Nwakali concluded. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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