Not certain over Osimhen’s availability for AFCON
Super Eagles interim coach Austin Eguavoen has perfected plans to recall Nigerian sensational duo, Emmanuel Dennis and Kelechi Nwakali back to the Super Eagles as the team begin preparations for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations billed for Cameroon in January next year.
Following the sacking of manager Gernot Rohr, the Eagles are expected to convene in Nigeria on December 28 as they seek to win their fourth AFCON title.
Dennis, who has been capped twice by Nigeria, has been outstanding for Watford in the Premier League since he arrived for £3.4m from Club Brugge in the summer.
The 24-year-old last featured for the Eagles in November 2020 when he was given a six-minute cameo off the bench against Sierra Leone in Freetown.
The striker, who has seven goals and five assists in 15 games this season, is seen as a valuable option in attack to trio Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho and Paul Onuachu, who are ahead of him in the pecking order, a top official of the Nigerian Football Federation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Saturday PUNCH.
Also expected to earn a recall back to the team is Kelechi Nwakali.
The source said the Huesca midfielder is seen as a player who could help solve the team’s creativity. The Eagles have been lacking creativity in their recent games.
“Rohr’s sacking has changed the fate of Dennis and Nwakali in the team,” the source told Nigeria Standard.
“They are in line for a return but they must fight for their places in the team when camping starts.”
Should Dennis get listed for the AFCON it would be a big blow to the Hornets, who will have to prepare to be without their top scorer this season as well as losing the likes of Imran Louza, William Troost-Ekong and Adam Masina.
This means these players will miss games against West Ham, Tottenham, Leicester City, Newcastle United and Norwich City.
Meanwhile, the coach expressed doubt over the availability of FC Napoli of Italy striker, Victor Osimhen for the AFCON.
The 22-year-old striker has not featured for Napoli since he fractured his cheekbone in the Partenopei’s 3-2 loss to Inter Milan at San Siro last month.
Despite returning to training earlier than scheduled, the 56-year-old is unsure if Napoli will release Osimhen for the tournament.
“First of all, we hope he is well and that he can recover as soon as possible,” Eguavoen told Brila FM.
“I am sure that Victor has a great desire to play and the national team.
“But above all, he must recover in the best possible way and we must understand if Napoli will let him leave.
We will work with the group that Rohr has kept over the years. Most of the players have known each other for a long time and have been playing together for some time.
“But I do not exclude that there may be some new faces among the call-ups. If Osimhen is not with us, we have other good players who can replace him.”
