Chrisantus Uche has spoken out after being left out of Nigeria’s final 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
The midfielder has scored 3 goals and appeared in 26 matches for Getafe in the 2024/25 La Liga season.
Former Moralo player Chrisantus Uche has addressed the statement attributed to him regarding his exclusion from the 23-man squad.
Reports claimed that the 21-year-old had informed coach Eric Chelle to leave him out of the squad. Uche clarified that he is a full-blooded Nigerian, raised in Nigeria, not abroad.
The former Ceuta player emphasized that he will continue to work hard and patiently wait for his opportunity to represent the Super Eagles in any competitive match.
He said: “I do not know where these lies are coming from. How can a true Nigerian like myself, an Owerri boy, say no to representing the Super Eagles in the World Cup qualifiers? I’m perplexed when people claim I was born abroad. I made my first trip outside the country only two years ago to pursue my dream of playing football at the highest level.
“I can only continue to work hard, and my chance will eventually come. I can’t wait to play for the Super Eagles, and hopefully, the team will win both games,” he concluded.
Nigerian journalist Tobi Samuel Adepoju affirmed Chrisantus claim on his X handle. Adepoju whrote, “The 21-year-old is a midfielder. Uche played grassroots football in Nigeria before moving to Spain. He played for lower-division clubs in Spain, Moralo and Ceuta.
Uche joined Getafe in 2024 making his rise from lower-division football to LaLiga within two years in Spain.
The attacking-midfielder has featured in 30 games for Getafe in all competitions this season. He has scored three goals with three assists.”
