Premier League outfit Watford have refused to release Emmanuel Dennis to Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Manager Claudio Ranieri claimed the Nigerian Football Federation did not mail Dennis' call-up on time and they would decided what to do.
However, it seems the Hornets top scorer this season will not be competing at the Africa Cup of Nations after he was replaced in the squad along with Victor Osimhen who tested positive for Covid-19.
Read: Arsenal legend: AFCON is so disrespected
Statement:
Health concerns, injuries constrain changes to Nigeria’s final 28-man list for AFCON 2021
Lively forward Victor Osimhen’s positive test to the coronavirus pandemic a couple of days ago and injury to the versatile Abdullahi Shehu have constrained changes to Nigeria’s final 28-man list for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations starting in Cameroon next weekend.
The goalkeeping department is untouched, but the forced exclusion of Cyprus –based Shehu, who can slot easily into sections of the defence and midfield, has made way for hard-as-nails right back Tyrone Ebuehi, now with Venezia in the Italian Serie A, and England –based Oluwasemilogo Ajayi returns to the group for Africa’s flagship football championship following injury to centre-back Leon Balogun. Ajayi can also play as a midfielder.
Osimhen’s absence paves way for Greece-based Henry Onyekuru who was also at the last finals in Egypt. In-form rapid raider Emmanuel Dennis, whose English Premiership club is baring fangs, has been excused to provide room for Czech Republic –based forward Peter Olayinka.
Here are some of Nigerian stars who ply their trade in the Premier League and will feature at AFCON
