Fenerbahce of Turkey’s latest recruit, Emmanuel Emenike, and youthful defence trojan, Kenneth Omeruo have dropped out of the August 14 Mandela Challenge contest between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana due to circumstances beyond their control.
Fenerbahce of Turkey’s latest recruit, Emmanuel Emenike, and youthful defence trojan, Kenneth Omeruo have dropped out of the August 14 Mandela Challenge contest between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana due to circumstances beyond their control.
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Eagles Media Officer, Ben Alaiya quoted the team’s administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, as saying that Emenike, who returned to Fenerbahce on Wednesday, opted out of the encounter in other to quickly settle down in Turkey. “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.”
On his part, Omeruo, who injured a shoulder during the Confederations Cup game between Nigeria and Spain in Brazil, is said to have suffered a recurrence and has been ordered by his club doctors at his club, Chelsea, for a proper and permanent solution. Omeruo had been on loan at Dutch side Addo Den Haag.
In their places, South Africa-based central defenders Gege Soriola and James Okwuosa have been called up. Soriola plays for Free State Stars, and Okuosa for Chippa United. The Super Eagles technical crew said they took the decision to call up the two central defenders because there are enough options upfront for the encounter.
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“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,” Coach Stephen Keshi said.
He added that Emenike in particular has a lot of hurdles to cross at his new club and the management of the national team has to oblige him. “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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