Osimhen, Dennis, Balogun, Abdullahi replaced in Nigeria squad for Afcon

The Super Eagles team to the African Nations Cup (Afcon) will be without two forwards and two defenders for their campaign in Cameroon next month following the withdrawal of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis, Rangers’ Leon Balogun and Omonia Nicosia’s Shehu Abdullahi, from the 28-man squad.

To replace them, as announced by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) were Olympiacos’ Henry Onyekuru, Venezia’s Tyronne Ebuehi, Slavia Prague’s Peter Olayinka and West Bromwich Albion’s Semi Ajayi as recommended by interim coach, Austin Eguavoen.

Also Read: AFCON 2022: Seven strikers that can replace Osimhen in Super Eagles lineup

Osimhen, who arrived Nigeria earlier in the week, tested positive for coronavirus and is currently in isolation while Balogun and Abdullahi are yet to recover fully from their injuries. The case of Dennis was a bit untoward as Watford complained about the delayed message for his call-up from the Nigerian football body.

Nigeria is aiming to win a fourth AFCON title in Cameroon are in group b alongside; Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau. The Super Eagles will begin their campaign against Egypt at the Roumde Adjia Stadium on January 11, 2022.

Nigeria Full Squad for Afcon 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); Tyronne Ebuehi (Venezia); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn 07, Germany); Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa).

Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow 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); 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 (Slavia Prague).