Another touch of controversy has been added into the build-up towards Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier away to Cape Verde, as two Super Eagles’ players, Tyronne Ebuehi and Samuel Kalu, reportedly failed COVID-19 tests before leaving Lagos.
Megasportsarena.com reports that the story become even more complicated after second tests ordered for both players returned negative results for them both, but officials have decided to play safe and leave them out of contention for Tuesday’s game altogether.
This brings back memory of how Everton of England star, Alex Iwobi had been declared coronavirus positive before the Eagles played against Benin Republic in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Iwobi sensationally proved negative before travelling out of Nigeria and on his return to the country after the trip to Cotonou, but the second test for Ebuehi and Kalu may have come too late to keep them in Tuesday’s game.
In what becomes another major blow to an already depleted squad, following the return of nine top players to Europe last weekend, Eagles’ coach, Gernot Rohr will be biting his fingers at reports that Ebuehi and Kalu have both tested positive to Corona Virus.
Ebuehi was expected to replace Aina in the right-back position, but with his positive coronavirus test, Abdullahi Shehu is now set to come in for him.
It also means that Rohr will have only 19 players at his disposal for the game aon Tuesday, following the departure of all players based in United Kingdom back to their bases last weekend.
Iwobi, William Troost-Ekong, Peter Etebo, Joe Eribo, Wilfred Ndidi, Ola Aina, Leon Balogun and Kelechi Iheanacho, who are all based in the UK had to leave for Britain immediately after the game against Liberia.
Cape Verde is among countries in Britain’s COVID-19 red zone and players for clubs in the United Kingdom are barred from travelling to such countries.
The Eagles arrived in Cape Verde early Monday, before which Kalu, who only recently survived a fainting fit at Girondins-Bordeaux of France, and Ebuehi both tested positive, meaning they are out of Tuesday’s game.
Being without Ebuehi and Kalu will be a big blow to Rohr’s plans, as they were both set to be involved in some capacity against the Blues Sharks.
While Ebuehi, who is on loan from Benfica of Portugal to Venezia of Italy, was expected to replace Ola Aina at right-back, Kalu was in contention for an attacking role in the absences of Iheanacho and Iwobi.
Nonetheless, Rohr hopes his side will be able to continue their surge as Group C leaders when they face The Blue Sharks, starting 5pm GMT+1 at Estadio Municipal Aderito Sena, Mindelo.
