13 Eagles stars out of W/Cup qualifier after Euro leagues blackout
Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr released an enlarged squad of 30 players for next month’s World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, but they could face blackout of 13 top players in red-listed Cape Verde after Europe’s three major leagues decided not to release players for matches to be played in red-listed countries.
The Eagles manager named 30 players for next month’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde after the major leagues in Europe opted not to release players for matches to be played in red-listed countries.
The Premier League in England, La Liga of Spain and Serie A in Italy have all said they will not release players in red-listed countries because it would mean the players have to quarantine for at least 10 days on return to their bases.
Interestingly, Nigeria will line up her strongest team for a September 3 clash against Liberia in Lagos, but will have to field an under-strength team for the second game on September 7 in Cape Verde as a result of the West African island making the red list of the UK for Coronavirus control measures.
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The Eagles could therefore be without as many as 13 players for the match in Priai, Cape Verde – Kenneth Omeruo (Spain), William Ekong, Oghenekaro Etebo, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Leon Balogun, Joe Aribo (England and Scotland), Victor Osimhen, Ola Aina, Kingsley Michael, Tyronne Ebuehi (Italy).
The expanded squad have two uncapped players – Innocent Bonke (Malmo, Sweden), Kingsley Michael (Bologna, Italy).
The full squad:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)
Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Watford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Samuel Kalu (FC Bordeaux, France); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium)
SEVEN OTHERS: Terem Moffi (FC Lorient, France); Henry Onyekuru (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Innocent Bonke (Malmo FF, Sweden); Valentine Ozornwafor (Sporting Charleroi, Belgium); Tyronne Ebuehi (Venezia FC, Italy); Kingsley Michael (Bologna FC, Italy)