By West Bromwich Albion of England defender, Semi Ajayi and UDS Huesca of Spain midfielder, Kelechi Nwakali both finally got their debuts at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, as they made second half entries for the Super Eagles in a historic victory over Egypt.
A 30th minute goal by Kelechi Iheanacho made a world of difference during the encounter played in Garoua, Cameroon, as Nigeria held their own to win 1-0, despite seeing Kenneth Omeruo forced off with an injury few minutes to the end.
Ajayi, who missed AFCON 2019 on account of his fringe status in the Eagles at that time, made the best of his late call-up this time in place of injured Leon Aderemi Balogun, while Nwakali had the grace of Augustine Eguavoen’s emergence at interim coach to thank for his presence in the roster to Cameroon.
That was due to the fact that the Chile 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning captain had not been included in the provisional list sent by sacked former head coach, Gernot Rohr to Confederation of African Football (CAF).
However, the advent of ‘Cerezo’ saw Nwakali got a lifeline, after only two previous exhibition matches for the Eagles against Atletico Madrid of Spain and Liberia.
His ascent into the main senior ranks then came in the 79th minute of Tuesday’s victory over Egypt, as he stepped off the bench in place of his name sake and Nigeria’s goal scorer, Iheanacho, while debuts also came for Umar Sadiq in place of Taiwo Awoniyi and Chidera Ejuke on for Samuel Chukwueze.
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