Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi is making a return to the Super Eagles, for next month’s double-header against Benin Republic and Lesotho in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, megasportsarena.com reports.
After being left out of the Eagles’ last two matches on account of perceived poor form at AFCON 2019 in Egypt, Akpeyi is set to reap from the forced absence of Omonia Nicosia of Cyprus shot-stopper, Francis Odinaka Uzoho.
With Uzoho ruled out till June next year, on account of an ACL injury he copped in action during the October 13 friendly against Brazil in Singapore, Akpeyi gets a reprieve and another chance to play himself back into contention in Gernot Rohr’s squad.
Joining Akpeyi on the way back into the Eagles for the November 13 clash with Benin Republic in Uyo and visit to Lesotho five days later are Portugal-based Mikel Ndubuisi Agu and Bryan Idowu from Russia, while previously injured duo of Kenneth Omeruo and Ahmed Musa are also back.
While Leon Aderemi Balogun, Peter Olayinka and Oghenekaro Etebo are all surprisingly placed on stand-by, Rohr called Musa back after injury and Granada of Spain midfielder, Ramon Azeez stays in, after seeing action in the 1-1 draw with five time world champions, Brazil.
France-based winger, Samuel Kalu also returns after missing the prestige friendly against Brazil, and the Girondins-Bordeaux star, who got an assist for his club on Tuesday, will aim for a starting shirt when Nigeria, who won bronze in Egypt, open their campaign for a place in Cameroon 2021.
The Eagles will open against The Squirrels of Benin Republic at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Wednesday, 13th November, before flying to Maseru to play Lesotho’s Crocodiles on Sunday, 17th November, in Day Two of the qualifying series.
Rohr’s full list of 23 invitees has three goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); and Maduka Okoye (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany), as well as eight defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes, Spain); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (Leganes, Spain); William Ekong (Udinese, Italy); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); and Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia).
The invited midfielders are: Alexander Iwobi (Everton, England); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Guimaraes, Portugal); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); and Ramon Azeez (Granada, Spain); while the forwards are: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia); Victor Osimhen (Lille, France); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Genk, Belgium); Emmanuel Dennis (Club Brugge, Belgium); and Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France);
Those on standby are: Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); and Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City, England).
