Uzoho, Umar, Yusuf, boost Eagles’ camp as Osimhen, Ekong ‘missing’
Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, Raal Sociedad forward Umar Sadiq, and Royal Antwerp midfielder Alhassan Yusuf have reported to the Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations camp based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Uzoho’s arrival was delayed due to the injury crisis in the goalkeeping department of the Omonia Nicosia which led to the Cyprus-based club reaching an agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation to make him report later than expected.
The 25-year-old’s place in the starting XI is under threat and he will have to slug it out with Stanley Nwabili and Olorunleke Ojo for the first-choice goalkeeper position.
While he is the most experienced of the shot-stoppers, it is uncertain whether José Peseiro will retain him in his preferred XI.
Sadiq made his debut in the competition in the last edition where he got a goal in the Super Eagles’ 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in the group stage.
It remains how much time he will be afforded considering the stiff competition in the attacking department of the team.
Yusuf on the other hand has been invited to replace Wilfred Ndidi who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
The central midfielder is one of the players yet to feature at the Africa Cup of Nations and will be hoping he has time to break into the team.
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Uzoho, Sadiq, and Yusuf take the number of players in camp to 23 with Victor Osimhen and William Troost-Ekong expected to arrive this morning and at midnight respectively.
The first training session for today will take place at 1830 hours (UAE time) while the second is scheduled for 1830 hours (UAE time) but there won’t be any media coverage for the two sessions.