The form of Raphael Onyedika at Club Brugge has never been in question. What remains unclear, however, is why a midfielder performing at such a high level continues to operate on the fringes of the Super Eagles.
His latest goal—his first league strike of the season—only sharpens the debate as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 approaches.
Why Raphael Onyedika thrives in Belgian Pro League but waits in Nigeria
At Club Brugge, Onyedika plays with rhythm, confidence, and responsibility. He starts regularly, dictates the tempo, wins duels, and has earned player-of-the-month recognition.
The trust he enjoys in Belgium stands in complete contrast to his role with the Super Eagles.
Under Eric Chelle, the midfielder has been ever-present in squad lists but not in lineups.
Throughout Nigeria’s World Cup qualification campaign, he did not play a single minute—a decision that frustrated fans.
Nigeria eventually crashed out of the playoffs, and many still believe his absence from the pitch cost the team a valuable balance in midfield.
Yet Chelle keeps calling him up. From provisional lists to final squads, Onyedika’s name always features.
The latest 54-man provisional squad for AFCON 2025 again included him, alongside six goalkeepers, 13 defenders, 12 midfielders, and 23 forwards. The message is mixed: he is wanted but not used.
A timely reminder from Belgium
Just yesterday, Onyedika produced the kind of moment that forces conversations. He stepped into the box with calm authority and buried his first league goal of the season against Sint-Truidense—a crisp finish that shows his confidence heading into AFCON.
Even in defeat, he was one of Brugge’s best players. Teenage striker Kaye Furo later joined him on the scoresheet, but the night belonged to the midfielder who continues to show he is ready for bigger responsibility.
His consistency at club level makes Chelle’s selection choices even harder to explain. Onyedika is not knocking on the door — he is kicking it. But the question is whether the Super Eagles boss will finally open it.
If Onyedika makes the final 28-man squad for Morocco, will he finally play? Or will he remain a bench option despite his club performances forcing headlines weekly?
Fans certainly want clarity. They want balance in midfield. Onyedika wants minutes.
Chelle may trust experience, but at some point performance becomes impossible to ignore. Onyedika has given him every reason to rethink the hierarchy — and his latest goal is only part of a long list of reminders.
Hopefully, AFCON 2025 will be the stage where this long-running debate finally gets an answer.
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