The positive test for the coronavirus for lively forward Victor Osimhen a few days ago, as well as the injury suffered by the versatile Abdullahi Shehu, have limited changes to Nigeria’s final 28-man list for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations, which begins next weekend in Cameroon.
The goalkeeping position remains unaltered, but the forced exclusion of Cyprus-based Shehu, who can easily slot into sections of the defense 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, who returns to the group following the injury to center-back Leon Balogun.
Ajayi is also capable of playing as a midfielder.
Osimhen’s absence makes way for Henry Onyekuru, who lives in Greece and competed in the last finals in Egypt.
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Emmanuel Dennis, whose English Premiership club is on the verge of releasing him, has been excused to make room for Czech Republic-based forward Peter Olayinka.
The 33rd Africa Cup of Nations finals will conclude on February 6th.
The super eagles’ squad for the 33rd AFCON in Cameroon in 2021
Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); and Maduka Okoye (Enyimba FC) are the goalkeepers (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey), Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England), William Ekong (Watford FC, England), Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy), Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany), Tyrone Ebuehi (V (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (Leicester City, England); (SD Huesca, Spain)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia); Alex (SK Slavia Praha, Czech Republic)
