Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr will be without several of his key players during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde.
The three-time African champions will host Liberia on September 3 before travelling to Cape Verde four days later.
According to reports, this is as a result of the Premier League’s decision not to release players for international matches on ‘red list’ countries, where they would have to quarantine on their return to the United Kingdom because of Covid restrictions.
Rohr cannot invite the likes of Wlifred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, William Troost-Ekong, Oghenekaro Etebo and Emmanuel Dennis for both games due to the Premier League’s decision.
Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka and Everton’s Alex Iwobi can’t also travel for the qualifiers.
“The clubs’ decision, which is strongly supported by the Premier League, will apply to nearly 60 players from 19 Premier League clubs who are due to travel to 26 red-list countries in the September international window,”reads the statement by the Premier League.
“This follows Fifa’s current position not to extend its temporary release exception for players required to quarantine on their return from international duty.
“Extensive discussions have taken place with both The FA and the Government to find a solution, but due to ongoing public health concerns relating to incoming travellers from red-list countries, no exemption has been granted.”
“If required to quarantine on return from red list countries, not only would players’ welfare and fitness be significantly impacted, but they would also be unavailable to prepare for and play in two Premier League match rounds, a Uefa club competition matchday and the third round of the EFL Cup,” it continued.
“This period takes into consideration 10 days of hotel quarantine on return to England but does not include any additional time that would be required for players to regain match fitness.”
