By Daily Sports on December 19, 2021
Super Eagles interim coach Austin Eguavoen will recall Nigerian duo Emmanuel Dennis and Kelechi Nwakali back to the Super Eagles as the team begin preparations for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations billed for Cameroon next month, following the sacking of manager Gernot Rohr, PUNCH has learnt.
The Eagles are expected to convene in Nigeria on December 28 as they seek to win their fourth AFCON title. Dennis, who has been capped twice by Nigeria, has been outstanding for Watford in the Premier League since he arrived for £3.4m from Club Brugge in the summer.
The 24-year-old last featured for the Eagles in November 2020 when he was given a six-minute cameo off the bench against Sierra Leone in Freetown. The striker, who has seven goals and five assists in 15 games this season, is seen as a valuable option in attack to trio Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho and Paul Onuachu, who are ahead of him in the pecking order, a top official of the Nigerian Football Federation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told PUNCH.
Also expected to earn a recall back to the team is Kelechi Nwakali. The source said the Huesca midfielder is seen as a player who could help solve the team’s creativity. The Eagles have been lacking creativity in their recent games.
“Rohr’s sacking has changed the fate of Dennis and Nwakali in the team,” the source told Saturday PUNCH.
“They are in line for a return but they must fight for their places in the team when camping starts.”
Should Dennis get listed for the AFCON it would be a big blow to the Hornets, who will have to prepare to be without their top scorer this season as well as losing the likes of Imran Louza, William Troost-Ekong and Adam Masina.
This means these players will miss games against West Ham, Tottenham, Leicester City, Newcastle United and Norwich City. Eguavoen also expressed doubt over the availability of Osimhen for the AFCON. (PUNCH)
•PHOTO: Eguavoen
Source Daily Sports
Posted December 19, 2021
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