By Akeem Lawal
KRC Genk striker Paul Onuachu has been called up as replacement for FC Nantes forward Moses Simon ahead of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying battles with Benin Republic and Lesotho, Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports.
Nigeria, top of
the Group E log with eight points (one ahead of Benin Republic and five more
than third-placed Sierra Leone), tackle the Squirrels away at the Stade Charles
de Gaulle in Porto Novo on Saturday, 27th March and will lock horns with the
Crocodiles of Lesotho at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos three days later.
Onuachu was not included in the initial 23-man squad for both games as Coach Gernot Rohr only considered the lanky striker for the standby list of seven players, despite his phenomenal run of goals so far for his Belgian side this season.
However, with
France based- Super Eagles players doubtful for the games due to COVID 19 laws
by the French government, Rohr has now extended invitation to in-form
Onuachu, who has scored 27 goals and provided two assists in 30 appearances
across all competitions for his club this season.
According to a
tweet by the official Twitter handle of the Nigeria Football Federation, the
Nigeria coach had earlier called up Galatasaray forward Henry Onyekuru for
Samuel Kalu, who is already out with injury.
“Following the
uncertainty regarding the availability of players based in France (due to COVID
19 laws guiding the country), Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr has extended an
invitation to KRC Genk striker Paul Onuachu. Henry Onyekuru was earlier called
up to replace injured Samuel Kalu,” the NFF said.
In February,
FIFA issued a circular allowing clubs to refuse to release players for national
team duty when upon return to their club they would have to quarantine for more
than five days.
The World Cup
qualifiers in South America and Asia have been postponed, but the final two
rounds of fixtures in qualifying for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations are
scheduled to go ahead.
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