“I was surprised”- Danish coach on Eric Chelle’s decision to snub Frank Onyeka in Nigeria’s previous WC Qualifiers

Augsburg coach Jess Thorup has admitted that he was surprised by coach Eric Chelle’s decision to leave out Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka from the 23-man list that played against Zimbabwe and Rwanda in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers last month, Soccernet.ng reports.

Onyeka has had a very good season with Augsburg since his season-long loan transfer form Brentford last summer. the Super Eagles star has contributed two assists in 29 appearances across all competitions for Augsburg.

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His presence in the club’s midfield has been key for them, as they sit 10th in the Bundesliga, three points behind a European spot.

So it was a surprise when the 27-year-old was not included in Nigeria’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda last month. Onyeka made the initial 39-man provisional list, but he did not make the final cut.

In a recent report by Soccernet.ng, Onyeka admitted that he was sad about the snub. Now, Augsburg’s Danish coach, Thorup, who also coached Onyeka at Midtjylland has expressed his disappointment at his midfielder getting snubbed.

“Yeah, I think he (Onyeka) has played an amazing season in one of the top leagues in Europe. I was really surprised (that he was not called up to Nigeria’s squad),” Thorup told Oma Akatugba.

“I was sure that Frank was going to be part of it, I was even hoping he would be in the lineup and play form the beginning.

“We were all surprised, but that was the decision from the coach. Frank can only keep performing the way hes perfoming and hope he will be called up next time.”

Augsburg have lost just one of their last nine games, and they will look to end the campaign on a high and possibly seal qualification for European football for the first time since 2015.

Frank Onyeka could be called up for the Unity Cup

Frank Onyeka could be called up to Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming Unity Cup at the end of the season. The 27-year-old’s work rate and defensive game could come in handy for the Super Eagles.

But for now, he will be focused on ending the season on a high with Augsburg.