The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Thursday confirmed Al- Shabab’s striker Odion Ighalo will not be available for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
NFF made this disclosure in a statement issued on Thursday. In the statement, the federation said Ighalo won’t be able to represent Nigeria at the upcoming AFCON competition because he was not released by his club in Saudi Arabia club, Al- Shabab.
“Forward Odion Ighalo is no longer expected as a result of issues with his Saudi Arabian club,” NFF said in a statement by its spokesperson, Ademola Olajire.
Ighalo now joins the list of key players who would not be able to represent Nigeria at the 33rd AFCON.
Recall that Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen was left out of the country’s 28-man squad after contracting COVID-19. Watford forward, Dennis Emmanuel, was also excused after his club blocked his departure, claiming the NFF sent his invitation letter late.
Also, Leon Balogun and Abdullahi Shehu are both out with injuries and won’t play for the country.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles have landed in Cameroon ahead of their opening match for the 33rd AFCON.
The Super Eagles team landed at the Garoua, Cameroon, on chartered flight in the early hours of Thursday. They’ve also had their first training in the central African country.
The Super eagles would kickstart their campaign against Egypt on Sunday at the Roumde Adjia stadium, Garoua.
