Saka’s Exclusion: ‘We Told Him To Be Patient’ | TimeTestedNews

Arsenal wonderkid Bukayo Saka has to wait to make his competitive debut for his country of birth after he was left out of England’s matchday 23 for the ongoing game against the top-ranked FIFA nation in the world, Belgium.

Having made his senior debut in the 3-0 rout of Wales in an international friendly last week, the Hale End Academy graduate has to play three more games within the next two years before he is fully cap-tied to the Three Lions.

And until that happens, the Nigeria Football Federation, Super Eagles coaching staff and fans believe the versatile winger is still there for the taking.

Some Nigeria fans questioned Gareth Southgate’s decision to start a right-footed player Kieran Trippier in the left wing-back role despite Saka available for selection while others pointed out that the 19-year-old may have made a hasty decision choosing the Three Lions over Super Eagles.

Here’s what Super Eagles fans are saying on Twitter :

@HeeroChima : “Why is Southgate playing right-footed Trippier on the left when he has Saka? Just seen that Saka isn’t even on the bench. Shame, really”.

@moustea00 : “Why play Trippier at LB, u have Saka. ffs play the boy, he is left footed.”

@Ufannado : “England will always continue to deprive other country especially Nigeria of their up and young players by giving them false  hope caps and then dump them . Where is Abraham, Tomori and now Saka?”.

@TeejayDanielka : “When we told saka to be patient and calm about his decision playing for England but he didn’t listen. How market now saka?”

@kinginfahad001 : “No Saka I pray y’all lose”.

@Dotun_CD : “just saw the England line up against Beligum and SAKA IS NOT ON THE TEAM LIST EVEN BENCH …i said it just one match”.

@Viqforlan : “Trippier is at LWB, Walker at RCB and Alexander-Arnold at RWB. The only absurd inclusion is Trippier at LWB sha…what happened to Chilwell, Saka or even Maitland-Niles.”

@__osinachi : “Saka isn’t even on the bench. It just reeks of fear to me”.

@TeejayJamal : “I warned Saka, now he’s not even on the bench”.

@woramangra : “Mount n Trippier, who hardly played at Atletico, r a waste of space. Grealish, Saka n Foden can do a better job…”