Super Eagles Drop Osimhen, Invite Four New Players For AFCON
Nigerian footballer, Victor Osimhen is out of the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations, the Nigeria Football Federation confirmed on Friday.
Also, Super Eagles have invited four new players for AFCON over the health concerns and injuries of some players.
The NFF’s spokesperson, Ademola Olajire, made this known on Friday, adding that only the goalkeeping department is unchanged.
Other players newly added to the AFCON squad are right back Tyrone Ebuehi, England–based Oluwasemilogo, Greece-based Henry Onyekuru, and Czech Republic-based forward Peter Olayinka.
Olajire said, “Lively forward Victor Osimhen’s positive test to the coronavirus pandemic a couple of days ago and injury to the versatile Abdullahi Shehu have constrained changes to Nigeria’s final 28-man list for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations starting in Cameroon next weekend.
“The goalkeeping department is untouched, but the forced exclusion of Cyprus –based Shehu, who can slot easily into sections of the defence and midfield, has made way for hard-as-nails right back Tyrone Ebuehi, now with Venezia in the Italian Serie A, and England –based Oluwasemilogo Ajayi returns to the group for Africa’s flagship football championship following injury to centre-back Leon Balogun. Ajayi can also play as a midfielder.
“Osimhen’s absence paves way for Greece-based Henry Onyekuru who was also at the last finals in Egypt. In-form rapid raider Emmanuel Dennis, whose English Premiership club is baring fangs, has been excused to provide room for Czech Republic-based forward Peter Olayinka.”
The PUNCH had reported that Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen is isolating after testing positive for coronavirus for a second time, his club side.
The 23-year-old, who is still recovering from surgery after suffering a smashed cheekbone against Inter Milan in late November, was tested before travelling to Italy for a check-up on Friday.
Osimhen also tested positive for COVID-19 last January after returning from Christmas holidays in Nigeria.
His participation in AFCON had been a subject of controversy between NFF and his club, Napoli.