Brighton omit Mitoma and Minteh from Conference League squad

Brighton & Hove Albion have left established wingers Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh out of their squad for the group stage of the Europa Conference League, with Nigeria internationals Zadok Yohanna and Femi Azeez included instead.

Head coach Fabian Hurzeler has made the decision despite both Mitoma and Minteh currently working towards full fitness. The pair may be added to Brighton’s European squad after the group stage, when the club could reassess their availability and registration options.

Brighton have published their list of registered players for their Conference League campaign, which begins with a home fixture against FK Kauno Zalgiris.

Their European schedule will then take them to the Czech Republic, Spain and Greece. The most notable home match is against AS Monaco in December, while the campaign will also include a trip to Athens to face Panathinaikos.

The omission of Mitoma and Minteh is the most significant feature of Brighton’s squad selection. Both players are recognised members of the club’s attacking options, but their current fitness situations have influenced Hurzeler’s decision.

Their places have gone to two summer signings from Nigeria. Zadok Yohanna joined Brighton from Swedish club AIK, while Femi Azeez moved from English Championship side Millwall.

Azeez is already a senior international with Nigeria, while Yohanna arrived at Brighton after his spell with AIK. The Conference League will represent the first opportunity for both players to feature in European club competition.

Brighton’s decision allows the two new arrivals to be part of the club’s initial European squad, while Mitoma and Minteh could yet return to the competition if they are registered after the group stage.

The club’s opening match against FK Kauno Zalgiris will be followed by a series of fixtures across Europe, including the visit of AS Monaco and the meeting with Panathinaikos in Athens. The schedule gives Brighton a varied route through the competition, with matches in the Czech Republic, Spain and Greece also included.

For Yohanna and Azeez, selection provides an early chance to gain experience at continental level after their moves to England. Azeez’s previous club, Millwall, competed in the Championship, while Yohanna came to Brighton from AIK.

Hurzeler’s squad decision means Brighton will begin their Conference League campaign without two of their more established wide players, but with both Nigerian signings available for their first European club tournament.