By Daily Sports on January 18, 2016
Nigeria centre half Austin Obaroakpo will not feature in today’s opening game at the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) against Niger Republic at the Stade Nyamirambo in Kigali.
Obaroakpo is suspended for the clash following two yellow cards in the CHAN qualifying games against Burkina Faso in Port Harcourt and Ouagadougou last year.
“Austin Obaroakpo is suspended for the match against Niger Republic,” spokesman of the Nigerian men’s national team, Toyin Ibitoye, confirmed on Sunday from Rwanda. “No doubt he is one of our best defenders and leaders but the team will have to soldier on without him. There are capable replacement in the team to take his place.”
Nigeria head coach, Sunday Oliseh, will now turn to one of either Stephen Eze or Samson Gbadebo, who play in the heart of defence for their clubs, Sunshine Stars and Lobi Stars respectively, to play alongside Jamiu Alimi.
The pair of Orji Kalu Okagbue and Matthew Etim, who are full-backs, can also play as centre-backs.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles also have Tunisia and Guinea to face in Group C of the CHAN and Obaroakpo will return for the next game against North African opposition Tunisia on Friday. (Supersport)
•Photo shows CHAN Eagles centre half Austin Obaroakpo.
Source Daily Sports
Posted January 18, 2016
You may also like...
Ex-soccer star Rio Ferdinand retires from boxing before...
_150x150.png)
Rivers United won’t make last season’s mistake –...
It was a training device, not a bomb...
UCL: Aguero hattrick seals easy win for Man....
Aston Villa appoint new head coach with John...
Lovren in Tight Race To Be Fit for...
AFCON: Osimhen ‘on another level,’ defenders’ll be scared – Onyeka
Super Eagles camp swells to 22 ahead of Egypt friendly
Nigerian cricketers claim West Africa Trophy awards
Nigeria’s World Cup dream alive as DR Congo face player eligibility probe
Adekunle wins school table tennis tourney
EPL: Arteta backs Gabriel Jesus to become Arsenal’s first-choice striker
Joshua, Paul fight scripted – Wilder
Salah in Liverpool squad for Brighton match
AFCON: Man United uncertain about Mbeumo, Mazraoui, Diallo availability
Idongesit brothers set for Fencing Junior W’Cup in Uzbekistan
NWFL punishes Ekiti Queens over refs assault
Ikpokpo backs Niger Delta Games to unveil new talents
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,407 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,662 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,594 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,239 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,205 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,114 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,957 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,540 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,688 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,233 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,624 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,101 views)