Rohr shifts attention to NPFL star, as 14 players boost Uyo’s Eagles camp
...Anaemena replaces Idowu, 9 others still expected
Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has called up Enyimba FC defence stalwart, Ifeanyi Anaemena, to the Super Eagles’ camp as a replacement for Russia-based left back, Bryan Idowu, ahead of the 2021 AFCON qualifiers against Squirrels of Benin Republic in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
The defender will also be part of the squad for the Day Two clash with Lesotho in Maseru on Sunday, November 17.
The People’s Elephant’s bulwark replaced Idowu, who submitted his international passport for renewal and the document is not ready for him to travel to Nigeria for the encounter.
Anaemena was impressive for the Eagles B in their 2020 African Nations Championship qualifier against Togo at the Agege Stadium last month, and has also been a key player for Enyimba, two –time CAF Champions League winners, as they reached the group phase of this year’s CAF Confederation Cup competition.
As at Monday evening, captain Ahmed Musa and 13 other players had arrived at the Eagles’ Ibom Meridien Hotel and Resorts, with the remaining nine squad members expected on Tuesday morning.
The 14 who trained on the grounds of the Ibom Meridien Hotel and Resort on Monday evening are Musa, goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi and Maduka Okoye, defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Chidozie Awaziem, Olaoluwa Aina, Jamilu Collins and Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, midfielders Alex Iwobi, Ramon Azeez and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Samuel Kalu and Victor Osimhen.
Those arriving on Tuesday morning are defenders William Ekong, Anaemena and Abdullahi Shehu, midfielders Mikel Agu and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and forwards Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Paul Onuachu and Emmanuel Dennis.
Read Also:AFCON 2021 qualifiers: CAF names officials for Eagles, Squirrels cracker
Ayodele-Aribo, who plays for Glasgow Rangers in Scotland, has scored in the Eagles’ last two games, against Ukraine (2-2) and Brazil (1-1) – incidentally the only two matches he has played for Nigeria.
The Super Eagles will train at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Tuesday evening.