The two players were included in the coach’s 28-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, but will not be playing for the country in Cameroon
Super Eagles interim boss Austin Eguavoen has questioned the desire of Odion Ighalo and Emmanuel Dennis after both players failed to join up with Nigeria’s squad for the 2021 AFCON.
Ighalo and Dennis were included in Eguavoen’s 28-man squad for the showpiece in Cameroon, but both had failed to honour the callup due to their club’s refusal to release them.
Ighalo could not link up with his teammates after his Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab claimed that his invitation came in late from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Watford also took advantage of the same error to stop their talisman Dennis from representing his motherland in Cameroon.
However, while Eguavoen agrees with the clubs’ decision, he believes Ighalo and Dennis could have come if they had shown more desire.
“We have to respect people opinions, but there are regulations to release players, Eguavoen said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Nigeria’s opening game against Egypt.
“It boils down to the individual players. You have to fight for it. We also battle such when we were playing & we fought it because it’s a privilege & honour to play for your country.”
The Super Eagles will be seeking a fourth AFCON title in Cameroon, and they will be aiming to start with a win in their opening game against the Pharaohs.
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May God see you through the AFCON with a credible result. Then make use of those player who shows commitment during the AFCON for the World cup tournament. Rather than picking those who turned down your AFCON offer, pick from those eligible players you have not call before.
I also doubt the commitment of the both players because it only Dennis was able to stop from Watford FC other African players were released besides Sarr of Senegal that is nursing injury. Had it been these players keen in representing Nigeria,club would have no option than releasing them. How I wished the Team perform excellently well in AFCON to wade off the chances of runaway or none committed players
In every disappointment there is a blessing, a lesson and self determinations towards motivating oneself to success.