English Premier League side Watford has refused to release Emmanuel Dennis to Nigerian to represent them in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations which will begin on the 9th of January in Cameroon. Also in doubt for the Super Eagles is Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, the player is said to have covid 19 and so have both dropped out of Nigeria’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Watford Holds Back Emmanuel Dennis from AFCON
Watford has reportedly refused to release Emmanuel Dennis, who has scored eight Premier League goals this season. A Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) statement said the striker had been excused because Watford was “baring fangs”.
Victor Osimhen on the other hand has been ruled out following a positive Covid-19 test and is still recovering from facial fractures. The injury in November was expected to rule the 23-year-old Napoli frontman out of the tournament, which starts on 9 January in Cameroon.
Dennis, 24, will now be available for Watford’s Premier League games against fellow strugglers Newcastle and Norwich, as well as their FA Cup third-round tie at Leicester City on 8 January. The club’s manager Claudio Ranieri said: “I knew the board and Nigerian board were speaking. I accept every decision they find and that for me is finished.”
Asked whether the decision for Dennis to remain with his club disrespected Afcon, Ranieri added: “No. They have a lot of players and then they changed the managers and everything. We were ready to give over the players, they didn’t do it. The two boards spoke and for me it is OK.
He also said: “Of course, he wanted to go to play but he also wanted to help Watford.” Both Emmanuel Dennis and Victor Osimhen have been replaced by Sparta Prague striker Peter Olayinka and Olympiakos forward Henry Onyekuru, while the Super Eagles have also been forced to make two changes in defense.
Rangers defender Leon Balogun and Cyprus-based Abdullahi Shehu have both been replaced by West Brom’s Semi Ajayi and Tyronne Ebuehi of Italian Serie A side Venezia.
