‘He had hoped to be there’ - Bayer Leverkusen manager reveals Tella’s disappointment following exclusion from AFCON squad

Bayer Leverkusen head coach Kasper Hjulmand has commented on Nathan Tella's exclusion from Nigeria's final squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, acknowledging the club benefits from the decision while sympathising with the player's disappointment.

Leverkusen is already set to lose four key players to the tournament, which runs from January 13 to February 11. 

The list of absentees includes Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso), Ibrahim Maza (Algeria), Christian Kofane (Cameroon) and Eliesse Ben Seghir (Morocco).

Tella, who made the first squad list for Chelle, failed to make the final list, having just returned from injury.

Hjulmand on Tella’s AFCON omission

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Leverkusen's Bundesliga match against FC Augsburg, Hjulmand addressed the winger's situation. 

The club's sporting director, Simon Rolfes, had previously suggested that Tella was expected to be named in the Super Eagles' squad for the tournament.

However, Nigeria's head coach, Eric Chelle, opted not to include the 24-year-old, who only recently returned to action three weeks ago after a hip injury.

Alonso admitted that keeping Tella at the club during this period is a strategic advantage, but he recognised the personal blow it represents for the player.

"Of course, for us, it's good that he stays," Alonso stated, as reported by German publication Kicker. "But for him personally, it's a shame. He had hoped to be there."

Tella made his competitive debut for Nigeria in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in November 2023, officially committing his international future to the Super Eagles.