The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dropped Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and Watford hitman Emmanuel Dennis from Nigeria’s final 28-man list for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations starting in Cameroon next weekend.
In a statement on Friday morning, the NFF said Osimhen’s positive test to the coronavirus pandemic a couple of days ago was responsible for the removal of his name from the final list.
Daily Trust reported on Thursday that the striker had tested positive for COVID-19 which could stop him from participating in the championship.
Osimhen’s absence has now paved the way for Greece-based Henry Onyekuru who was also at the last finals in Egypt.
The statement also said in-form rapid raider, Dennis, whose English Premiership club is baring fangs, has been excused to provide room for the Czech Republic-based forward Peter Olayinka.
Daily Trust had reported on Wednesday that Watford could prevent Emmanuel Dennis from taking part in the AFCON next month.
Dennis is one of Nigeria’s strikers who are in form at present.
Watford coach, Claudio Ranieri, had claimed on Wednesday that Nigeria had missed the deadline to call the striker up for the tournament.
The versatile Abdullahi Shehu has also been excused as a result of an injury he is nursing at present.
The goalkeeping department is untouched, but the forced exclusion of Cyprus –based Shehu, who can slot easily into sections of the defence and midfield, has made way for hard-as-nails right back Tyrone Ebuehi, now with Venezia in the Italian Serie A
England–based Oluwasemilogo Ajayi also returns to the group for Africa’s flagship football championship following injury to centre-back Leon Balogun. Ajayi can also play as a midfielder.
The 33rd Africa Cup of Nations finals will end on 6th February.
SUPER EAGLES’ SQUAD FOR 33RD AFCON CAMEROON 2021
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Tyrone Ebuehi (Venezia FC, Italy); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Praha, Czech Republic)
