Semi Ajayi Expected To Join Eagles’ Colleagues In Abuja On Monday

West Bromwich Albion of England defender, Semi Ajayi is expected to land at the Super Eagles’ camp in Abuja on Monday, following his late inclusion in the squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, megasportsarena.com reports.

The former Arsenal and Rotherham United of England versatile ace, who can play as full back, central defender or holding midfielder, was included in the Eagles’ squad belatedly, following Leon Aderemi Balogun’s inability to recover from a throbbing injury.

However, despite his late inclusion in the list, Ajayi has accepted his invitation with delight and told Eagles’ interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen that he already looks forward to contributing his own quota in Nigeria’s search for a fourth continental title.

That much has been revealed by Eguavoen, who admitted he was delighted with the reaction that Ajayi gave when told he had been included in Nigeria’s roster to AFCON 2021, with the lad showing how eager he is to represent his country at the upcoming tournament in Cameroon.

Eguavoen confirmed that the former Arsenal under-21 team captain and ex-Flying Eagles invitee was considered for selection because he was picked by erstwhile coach, Gernot Rohr in the long provisional squad list submitted to Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The 28-year-old Ajayi, whose last appearance for the Eagles was against Sierra Leone in November 2020, was dropped because his club got relegated to the English Championship, but he now has the chance of getting his AFCON debut, after he missed the 2019 contest despite making Nigeria’s 25-player provisional roster.

Eguavoen told NFF TV: “Semi Ajayi, obviously he was not on the 28-man list but he was on the alternate list. Kevin Akpoguma was on the alternate list, Onyekuru and co.

“And then we reached out to Semi, he jumped at it. I think that’s the spirit we want because it is not a right for everybody to coach and play for Nigeria, it is a privilege.

“If it’s not coming, we have to take it, if it comes you have to grab it so that’s where we are. We are expecting them after their last games so we can have a full house.”