The Super Eagles of Nigeria will commence their quest for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations triumph without two key players.
With star forwards Victor Osimhen and Emmanuel Dennis missing, Odiong Ighalo may not be allow to join the team, and the Eagles may start the tournament without first choice left back, Jamilu Collins.
Collins is rumoured to be struggling with the COVID-19 which has obstructed the SC Paderborn star from joining the camp with two days left before Nigeria face Egypt in their first game.
Reports in Saudi Arabia is that Ighalo has refused to train with his club Al-Shabab in a bid to force a move to be part of the AFCON in Cameroon which kicks off today.
Ighalo is torn between club and country after his team Al Shabab blocked his move to feature at the tournament having signed him when he had already retired from international football with Nigeria.
The 32-year-old came out of retirement last November two years after he announced his retirement and he featured in the team’s 1-1 draw against Cape Verde in a 2022 World Cup qualifier – a move which saw him named in the Eagles 28-man squad for the tournament.
The PUNCH quoted Ighalo to have said: “I am not in the right frame of mind to train. I need to join my teammates in Cameroon to be part of AFCON.
“I mean, this is the biggest tournament in Africa and I want to represent my country.
“So, I cherish the green-white-green jersey, it’s so precious to me.
“I still believe I will be part of the AFCON.”
Meanwhile, full back Tyronne Ebuehi has arrived at the Super Eagles camp in Garoua, making the total number of available players for Africa Cup of Nations increase to 26.
Ebuehi arrived at the camp three days before their opening match against Egypt.
The Venezia player has 10 caps for the Super Eagles after making his debut in 2017 against Togo.
Players in camp
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (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); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Tyrone Ebuehi (Venezia FC, Italy)
Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Henry Onyekuru (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Praha, Czech Republic); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain)
Expected
Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia).
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