Iwobi got a straight red card from Senegalese referee, Maguette N’Diaye during 2021 AFCON, he will miss the next two CAF organised competitions
By Kehinde Okeowo
The decision of the Super Eagles gaffer, Austin Eguavoen to leave out Everton midfielder, Alex Iwobi, from Nigeria’s squad for the 2022 World Cup playoff against Ghana. has sent tongues wagging on social media.
Iwobi was conspicuously missing from the list of a 32-man provisional squad released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Friday.
He was neither listed among the midfielders nor forwards, he is also not injured, and has been playing constantly under Evertons’ new coach Frank Lampard.
ALSO READ: Roy Hodgson reveals Troost-Ekong will miss Ghana clash
However, he will miss the encounters because he saw a straight red card during the 1-0 defeat to Tunisia at the rounds of 16 of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Iwobi was sent off for stamping on the foot of a Carthage Eagles player during the encounter by Senegalese referee, Maguette N’Diaye.
N’Diaye had initially shown a yellow card for the foul before he was advised by Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to check the pitch-side monitor, after which he withdrew the yellow card and gave him a straight red card
The dismissal means Iwobi is suspended for the Super Eagles’ next two CAF competitions, which is incidentally the crucial World Cup playoff clash against the Nigerias’ arch-rival, the Black Stars of Ghana.