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SC Paderborn of Germany defender, Jamilu Collins is the only player named in Nigeria’s 28-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations that is yet to arrive at the Super Eagles’ camp in Garoua, Cameroon, as Venezia of Italy full-back, Tyronne Ebuehi sauntered in on Saturday.
Ebuehi’s arrival at mid-day took the number of players in the Eagles’ AFCON 2021 base to 26, with Collins now expected to arrive on Monday, while Confederation of African Football (CAF) did not approve Nigeria’s request for a replacement to step in for Al-Shabab of Saudi Arabia striker, Odion Jude Ighalo, whose club refused to release.
Ebuehi is now expected to stage a bold claim for the Eagles’ right-back position along with Chidozie Awaziem and Ola Aina, starting from Saturday evening, as the team’s acting coach, Augustine Eguavoen made plans to check out all 26 players at the camp in Garoua.
The training session came a day after the squad beat Cameroonian champions, Cotton Sport de Garoua 2-0 in a build-up game and, with the side set to play an intra-squad tune-up match that will see Nigeria’s possible starting 11 tango the probables, Collins is now rated doubtful for their opening Group D fixture versus Egypt on Tuesday.
Ebuehi is bound to put himself in contention for that game, despite being a late invitee and alternative addition to the roster, as a result of injury suffered by Omonia Nicosia of Cyprus defender, Abdullahi Shehu.
His arrival in camp was, however, delayed due to club commitments, then opted to fly out of Italy after the Italian Serie A clash between his side and Simeon Tochukwu Nwankwo’s Salernitana was postponed because of a Covid-19 outbreak at the Granata.
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