Nigeria vs Ghana: Why Iwobi was dropped from Super Eagles’ squad for World Cup playoffs

Everton midfielder, Alex Iwobi, was conspicuously missing from Nigeria’s squad for this month’s 2022 World Cup playoffs against Ghana.

On Friday, a 32-man provisional squad was published by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Iwobi was not listed among the midfielders or forwards.

This is because of the red card he picked up during the 1-0 defeat to Tunisia in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Iwobi was sent off for a stamp in the round of 16 clash by Senegalese referee, Maguette N’Diaye.

N’Diaye had initially shown a yellow card for the foul. However, he was advised by Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to check the pitch-side monitor, after which he upgraded the yellow to a red.

Iwobi is now suspended for the Super Eagles’ next two fixtures on the continent, which is incidentally against the Black Stars.