Categories: Sports

AFCON: Super Eagles Drop Osimhen, Invite Four New Players

Super Eagles have dropped Osimhen, invited four new players for AFCON.

Glamtush reports that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed on Friday that Victor Osimhen is out of the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations.

This online newspaper also understands that 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.”

Glamtush 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.

Recall that Osimhen also tested positive for COVID-19 last January after returning from the Christmas holidays in Nigeria.

His participation in AFCON had been a subject of controversy between NFF and his club, Napoli.

editor

Recent Posts

UnionCares Celebrates Academic Excellence At Pacelli School For The Visually Impaired Graduation

Union Bank’s UnionCares initiative celebrated academic excellence at the Pacelli School for the visually impaired…

18 hours ago

Tinubu Confers Triumphant Super Falcons With National Honours, Awards $100,000 To Each Player

Tinubu has conferred triumphant Super Falcons with national honours and awarded $100,000 to each player.…

1 day ago

Star Life: New! The Evil Eye Returns Teasers July 2025

The Evil Eye conceptual spin-off, titled The Evil Eye Returns, premieres on Star Life tonight…

1 day ago

The Alternative Bank Leads 300-Strong March To Combat Plastic Pollution In Lagos

Demonstrating its commitment to environmental sustainability, The Alternative Bank, alongside the Sterling Sustainability Working Group,…

2 days ago

Union Bank Rewards Customers With ₦5 Million Each In Save And Win Palli Promo Season 4 Grand Finale

Union Bank rewarded its customers with ₦5 million each in the Save and Win Palli…

2 days ago

BBNaija Season 10: 14 Male Housemates Unveiled After Previous Female Reveal

BBNaija Season 10 has unveiled 14 male housemates after the previous female reveal on Saturday.…

2 days ago