Onyeka Breaks Silence After World Cup Qualifiers Snub

Frank Onyeka has broken his silence after being left out of Nigeria’s final squad for the March 2025 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, despite being named in Eric Chelle’s initial 39-man list.

Onyeka Disappointed but Respectful

The 27-year-old midfielder, currently playing for FC Augsburg, expressed his disappointment with the decision, but remained respectful of the coach’s choices.

“I was quite sad, but the coach knows better than anyone which players he wants to use,” Onyeka told reporters.

Onyeka, who made his Super Eagles debut in September 2020, has since earned 27 caps. His absence in the crucial fixtures left fans questioning Chelle’s selection, especially given Nigeria's inconsistent performances — a 2-0 win over Rwanda followed by a frustrating 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe.

Focused on a Comeback

Despite the setback, Onyeka remains optimistic about returning to the national team setup soon:

“I hope I will be available for the next matches. I am always available. We are in a difficult situation, but we still have a chance. We just need to win our next four matches and hope to qualify.”

As the Super Eagles prepare for the September games, Onyeka's knowledge might be helpful as Nigeria's route to the 2026 World Cup remains unclear.