Chuba Akpom’s excellence rewarded after Super Eagles snub

Middlesbrough’s star striker, Chuba Akpom, has been awarded the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for February.

This is the third time Akpom has won the award this season, having previously won it in November and January.

The former Arsenal forward has been in tremendous form this season, and his performances in February were particularly impressive. Akpom scored five goals for Boro last month, including crucial strikes in the victories over Sheffield United, Blackpool, and QPR.

Akpom’s goalscoring exploits have helped Michael Carrick’s side climb up the Championship table, and they are currently in the playoff places with just a handful of games remaining in the season.

With just a few games remaining in the season, Akpom will be looking to continue his goalscoring form to help Middlesbrough secure a playoff spot and potentially earn promotion to the Premier League. 

Strangely, Akpom’s impressive goalscoring record this season has not caught the attention of the Nigerian national team.

The livewire striker was not included in the Super Eagles squad for their upcoming Afcon-qualifying fixtures against Guinea-Bissau. 

Head coach Jose Peseiro picked new Southampton recruit Paul Onuachu and struggling national team captain Ahmed Musa as the backup options to Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and OGC Nice’s Terem Moffi. 

Nigeria will trade tackles with Guinea-Bissau in Abuja on March 22 and face the same opponents six days later. Victories in both games will seal Nigeria’s spot at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations touenament in Ivory Coast.