Former FC Coppenhagen coach Jess Thorup has expressed surprise following Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro’s decision to leave Paul Onuachu out of the 25 man list to face Saudi Arabia and Mozambique in upcoming friendlies.
The Super Eagles will play Saudi Arabia on October 13 at the Estadio Muncipal de Portimao and they will play Mozambique three days later at the Estadio Muncipal de Albufeira.
Peseiro released the list for the fixtures on October 2 with strikers Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Terem Moffi and Taiwo Awoniyi preferred to Onuachu.
Premier League Southampton acquired Onuachu’s services from Belgian Pro League club Genk in February 2023. He joined Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor on loan in September 2023.
Thorup who previously coached Onuachu at Midtylland and Genk lauded the striker’s qualities and seemed shocked by the 29 year old’s omission from the list.
“He has shown that he can perform at the international level,” hurriyet.com.tr quoted Thorup as saying.
“Onuachu is a player who is technically and physically strong, has good speed and has the ability to score goals.
“Paul Onuachu is a special player that we don’t see much in football. Onuachu has sharp skills that are really good but not easy to compare with others. I am surprised that Paul Onuachu is not in the Nigerian National team but I am sure he will be a permanent part of the team in the long run.”
Onuachu has scored three goals in 19 appearances for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will take place in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11 2024.
Onuachu has netted three goals and notched one assist in four Turkish Super Lig games this term.
He made 11 appearances for Southampton in the 2022/23 season but didn’t score any goal.
The former Genk star also played one EFL Cup game for Southampton in the 2023/24 campaign before being loaned to Trabzonspor.
