Panic for Nigeria as Victor Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis, 2 Other Big Super Eagles Stars to Miss AFCON

• Super Eagles 28-man squad to the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations has been slightly changed barely 10 days before kick-off of the competition
• Victor Osimhen tested positive for Covid-19 and Greece-based Henry Onyekuru has been called as a replacement
• Premier League club Watford have been at loggerheads with the NFF over Emmanuel Dennis, and the forward has been replaced in the Eagles' list by Peter Olayinka

Having tested positive for Covid-19, impressive striker Victor Osimhen will not be part of the Super Eagles' squad to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Also, Abdullahi Shehu injury has forced Augustine Eguavoen to make a number of changes to the continental showpiece billed to start on January 9.

According to the Nigeria Football Federation, there is no problem with the goalkeeping position, as Tyrone Ebuehi has been called to replace Shehu.

With injury to Leon Balogun, Semi Ajayi returns to the group as he can also play as a midfielder.

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Osimhen’s absence paves way for Greece-based Henry Onyekuru who was also at the last finals in Egypt.

The Nation Premier League club Watford earlier threatened not to release Emmanuel Dennis, and now the impressive striker has been excused and replaced by Czech Republic-based forward, Peter Olayinka.

Super Eagles squad for AFCON 2021

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).

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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).

Eagles camp opens in Abuja

Sports Brief earlier reported that the Super Eagles camp say Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi and Enyimba goalkeeper John Noble have arrived for the final preparation before the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off.

Their arrival was confirmed on the team’s official Facebook page on Wednesday night as they join Orlando Pirates defender Olisa Ndah who was the first to reach.

It was gathered that more players are expected to join the squad on Thursday as Nigeria prepare for the continental showpiece.