2025 AFCON : Bundesliga Defender Denies Rumour, Says I Never Asked to be left out of Super Eagles’ Squad

Rumours flying around by some media outlets that provisional list of Super Eagles players invited for the forthcoming African Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco was reduced to 54 after a player asked to be left out of the squad has been described as baseless, unfounded and imagination of the writer.

The speculation has it that Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle originally invited 55 players, but later had it trimmed down to 54 after Hamburger SV, Jordan Torunarigha asked to be left out of the squad for the tournament, except he’s assured of making the final list and a run in the team at the tournament proper.

However, after speaking with the player from his base in Germany with Mr VAR, the son of former Super Eagles player, Ojokojo Torunarigha revealed that he never made such appeal to anyone nor disrespected the nation’s invite on the ground of a must play clause.

According to the Bundesliga defender,

“I quite appreciate your diligent investigation on this matter. Mr VAR, it may surprise you that the same way you saw the story on media space was the same way I saw it.

“To be honest with you, I initially thought it was a dream but the moment the reality dawned on me, I felt irritated. Then, I asked myself when did I say this. I can’t remember speaking with any journalist in Nigeria or here and I challenge anyone to provide audio evidence of such claim.

“My brother, I guess the statement could be best described as baseless, unfounded and figment imagination of the writer just to attract traffic.”

“For the sake of emphasy and commitment to serving my fatherland, the statement credited to me on playing time clause was a lie. I don’t know where it emanated from.

“How can a full blooded Nigerian whose father played for the same country uttered such statement. Did they know that I voluntarily shifted allegiance from German national youth team to play for Nigeria ”, he asked with a visibly annoying voice.

“I have a good relationship with the NFF and Coach Eric Chelle is doing well for the nation and I believe their decision was made in good fate. I wish the Super Eagles the very best in the forthcoming AFCON. The former KAA Gent submitted.

Jordan Torunarigha plays as a centre-back for Bundesliga club Hamburger SV. He is the son of former footballer Ojokojo Torunarigha and the brother of current footballer Junior Torunarigha.

Having represented Germany at various youth level, he switched nationality to represent the Nigeria national team.

Credit: Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR)