Fenerbahce of Turkey latest recruit, Emmanuel Emenike, and youthful
defence trojan, Kenneth Omeruo, have dropped out of the August 14
Mandela Challenge contest between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and
Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Durban due to circumstances beyond
their control.
Super Eagles Media Officer, Ben Alaiya, quotes Team’s Administrator,
Dayo Enebi Achor, as saying that Emenike opted out of the encounter in
order to quickly settle down at his new club.
“He may have been at the club before but he is highly valued in Turkey
and he has requested that he be allowed to settle well at the club and
the technical crew has obliged him,” Achor said.
On his part, Omeruo, who had a pulled shoulder during the
Confederations Cup game between Nigeria and Spain in Brazil, is said
to have had a relapse and has been ordered by his club doctors at
Chelsea FC of England for a proper and permanent solution.
Omeruo had been on loan at Dutch side Addo Den Haag.
In their places, Free State Stars of South Africa star, Gege Soriola,
and Chippa United James Okwuosa, also based in South Africa, have been
called up as replacements.
Team technical crew said they took the decision to call up two central
defenders because there are enough options upfront for the encounter
against Bafana Bafana next Wednesday.
“We also need to start grooming new defenders who are promising for
upcoming challenges and we found the two players invited thus far very
promising,” team Coach, Stephen Keshi, said.
Keshi added that Emenike in particular has a lot of hurdles to cross
at his new club and the management of the national team have to oblige
him.
He said: “We will need him in the World Cup qualifiers but he has a
lot of things to do at his new club and we must give him that
opportunity. But I must say we are in good contact and we are happy
with the way things are going with our top players in the transfer
market.”
The Super Eagles are expected to fly out on Sunday night to South
Africa for the encounter against Bafana Bafana on Wednesday.
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