Sparta Trnava of Slovakia central defender, Anthony Izuchukwu could be heading for an unexpected debut with the Super Eagles’ on Tuesday, as he is primed to step in for injured vice-captain, William Troost-Ekong against Cameroon.
Megasportsarena.com reports that Troost-Ekong bowed out in the late minutes of Friday’s first encounter between both countries and, with the Watford of England stopper already ruled out of the second game, the path has been cleared for Izuchukwu to step in.
Izuchukwu’s chances comes through a very late call-up to the Eagles’ camp last week, owing to the absences of Kenneth Omeruo, Semi Ajayi, Leon Aderemi Balogun and Kevin Akpoguma, thereby leaving the coach, Gernot Rohr handicapped in defence.
Dramatically, the Eagles’ medical crew were also sweating on the fitness of SC Paderborn of Germany left-back, Jamilu Collins for Tuesday’s rematch, even after the coach, Gernot Rohr ruled the defender out of the game.
Collins is nursing an ankle injury, yet the medics waited up till Monday to finally determine if he could feature in Tuesday’s game, but Troost-Ekong has been certified unfit and Izuchukwu could make his Eagles debut Tuesday on account of problems in the team’s defence.
With only 16 outfield players now available for selection including four defenders in the shape of Chidozie Awaziem, Abdullahi Shehu, Valentine Ozornwafor and Izuchukwu, Rohr hinted at the possibility of the Eagles playing three at the back on Tuesday.
Rohr said: “We lost unfortunately two other players through injury and it will be difficult for the second game to make the defence because Troost-Ekong and Collins are out. They cannot play.
“We have to manage again a difficult situation but it is opportunity perhaps also to play with three defenders only and to change a little bit the system, to try something different.”
