Trabzonspor striker, Anthony Nwakaeme, believes he deserves another chance with the Nigeria national team after being overlooked following a solitary appearance.
The 30-year-old’s impressive form earned him a call-up during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, but he failed to score on his debut against Algeria in November 2017.
Nwakaeme rejected big money offers from China to stay competitive in Europe and joined Turkish club Trabzonspor last August, but despite registering 10 goals and six assists in 24 appearances this season, he remains in the international wilderness.
“I got a chance to play [for Nigeria] and I know I could have scored, but my performance was not enough to completely write me off after one match,” Nwakaeme told BBC Sport.
“This is football and sometimes things don’t always work out as planned, no matter how hard you try.
“Other players struggled in their first game or more and they still got another chance but I didn’t get another opportunity to prove myself.
“I deserve another chance and one match should not be a defining moment in my international career.”
Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr continues to select players from Turkey, Israel, China as well as the English and German second-tiers in his present squad.
However, Nwakaeme says playing in a less glamorous place could possibly be the only logical reason for his lengthy omission.
“Probably because I don’t play in a big league or for a big European club counts against me in the eyes of the coaches,” he added.
“Maybe if I’m playing for a club in England, Spain, Italy or France I would’ve been treated that way.
“Personally, I’m happy with my life and career, if another chance comes up to play for my country that’s fine but if not I will continue to stay happy at my club.
“It was the fulfilment of a childhood dream when I played for Nigeria and I will always support those selected by the coach.”
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