By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen has been replaced by Henry Onyekuru in Nigeria’s squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after testing positive to coronavirus.
Osimhen was included in Nigeria’s 28-man squad for the AFCON by interim manager Austine Eguavoen despite undergoing surgery for a cheekbone injury last month.
Napoli announced the striker tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday and he will need to spend time in isolation before returning to Naples.
Similarly, the duo of Semi Ajayi and Tyronne Ebuehi have replaced Leon Balogun and Shehu Abdullahi.
Balogun is yet to feature under new Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst due to Injury, while Abdullahi sustained an injury in Omonia Nicosia’s 4-2 defeat to local rivals APOEL on boxing day.
Watford forward Emmanuel Dennis has also been replaced by Peter Olayinka, who plays for Slavia Prague of Czech Republic.
Watford threatened not to release the 24-year-old for the competition after his invitation arrived late.
The Nigeria Football Federation has now moved to avoid disagreement with the club by naming a replacement for the versatile striker.
The Super Eagles will open their 2021 AFCON campaign against Egypt on January 11.
THE FULL SQUAD
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); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Tyrone Ebuehi (Venezia FC, Italy); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Praha, Czech Republic).
