Belgian based defender Christian Akpan is expected to report to the Super Eagles camp on Thursday after receiving a late invitation ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies.
The 21 year old Genk youngster has emerged as one of the newest additions to Eric Chelle’s squad as the Super Eagles boss continues to reshape his team following a series of absences affecting the original squad list.
Akpan’s invitation comes at a crucial stage of preparations for Nigeria’s scheduled games against Poland and Portugal, with several regular names unavailable due to fitness concerns, logistics issues and other commitments surrounding the June international window.
The versatile defender recently made his senior debut for Belgian side Genk after spending much of the season developing with Jong Genk in the Belgian second tier. Comfortable at both full back positions and also capable of operating in midfield, his tactical flexibility is believed to have strengthened his case for a first senior national team opportunity.
Sources close to the situation indicate Akpan is expected to link up with the squad on Thursday, giving him an opportunity to train under Chelle and potentially stake a claim for minutes in the upcoming fixtures.
The call up marks another important milestone in the youngster’s rise. After progressing through Genk’s development system, Akpan has steadily built a reputation as a disciplined and adaptable defensive player in Belgium. His recent exposure to senior football appears to have caught the attention of Nigeria’s technical crew.
For Chelle, the decision to bring in Akpan highlights the coaching staff’s willingness to widen the talent pool and explore emerging options as the Super Eagles continue preparations for future competitive assignments.
Should he complete his camp arrival as expected, Akpan could become one of the fresh faces to watch as Nigeria steps into a demanding set of international tests in Europe.
