A bolt of controversy has been ignited over the official Super Eagles’ list for next Friday’s international friendly against Cameroon, as several key members of the Nigerian squad have been left out, megasportsarena.com reports.
While the Spain-based duo of Kenneth Omeruo and Samuel Chukwueze might have been left out on account of recent injuries, the biggest talking point is about the exclusions of Umar Sadiq and Joe Aribo, who both had sterling seasons with their respective clubs.
Sadiq was top scorer for UD Almeria and helped them gain promotion back to the top-flight Spanish LaLiga, while Aribo featured prominently for Glasgow Rangers of Scotland in their conquest of the Scottish Premiership title.
Incidentally, Chukwueze recently returned from time out on the sidelines and has been listed with Villarreal of Spain in this week’s UEFA Europa League final, while Omeruo has also shaken off a bout with injury to feature for Leganes of Spain in their last handful of matches.
However, Omeruo, Aribo, Sadiq and Chukwueze have all been yanked off the Eagles’ official and revised list that was announced on Monday by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the upcoming friendly against Cameroon.
Of the 31 players that had earlier been named on the provisional roster, nine players will not travel to Austria for the friendly, as Chukwueze, Sadiq, Aribo and Omeruo have been dropped along with Kevin Akpoguma from TSG Hoffenheim of Germany.
Also dropped are Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England), Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray, Turkey and Heartland of Owerri goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa.
Two fresh names have been added to the latest list, as FC Midtjylland of Denmark midfielder, Frank Onyeka and largely inactive Galatasaray center-back, Valentine Ozornwafor will join the squad in camp this weekend, bringing the total number of players invited to 24.
A total of three goalkeepers, six defenders, five midfielders and ten strikers have been selected by Super Eagles’ coach, Gernot Rohr, as the three-time African champions get et to battle the 2021 AFCON hosts next Friday at Stadion Wiener Neustadt in Austria, starting from 2030 hours.
The full revised Nigeria squad has three goalkeepers in Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); and Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands), as well as six defenders led by Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista, Portugal).
Others are William Ekong (Watford, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, The Netherlands); and Valentine Ozornwafor (Galatasaray, Turkey).
The list also has five midfielders in Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosa, Cyprus); Frank Onyeka ( FC Midtjylland, Denmark); and Abraham Marcus (CD Feirense, Portugal).
Ten forwards cap the roster: Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars); Alex Iwobi (Everton, England); Victor Osimhen (Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Anayo Iwuala (Enyimba); Peter Olayinka (Slavia Praha, Czech Republic); Terem Moffi (FC Lorient, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); and Simy Nwankwo (Crotone, Italy).
