Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has opted for domestic league hotshots after in-form strike duo Victor Moses and Isaac Success were withdrawn by their English Premier League clubs from the Super Eagles’ Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against Zambia in Ndola on Sunday.
Former Burkina Faso manager Rohr, who will be in the dugout to oversee the Eagles for the second time, had named Moses and Success in his 23-man squad for the clash. However, the 63-year-old was forced to name Wikki Tourists striker Godwin Obaje and Enugu Rangers forward Chisom Egbuchulam as replacements for the England-based players on Monday.
Obaje emerged as the Nigerian Premier League top scorer with 18 goals, followed by Egbuchulam, who netted 15 goals including a hat-trick in the 4-0 hammering of El-Kanemi in Enugu on Sunday to help Rangers claim the league title for the first time in 32 years.
Moses, who played at right-wing back in his first Premier League start for Chelsea since May 2013, suffered a hamstring injury after his head-turning performance in the 2-0 defeat of Hull City on Saturday.
Success, who joined Watford from Spanish La Liga outfit Granada during the summer transfer market, has been denied the chance to get his first senior international cap after picking up a knock. He scored his first goal for the Hornets to help them claim a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on Saturday.
According to Watford’s official website on Monday, the 20-year-old, who received his first senior call-up for the Eagles from German manager Rohr, has been withdrawn from the World Cup qualifier “ as a precaution due to a knock”.
Spokesman for the Nigeria Football Federation Ademola Olajire confirmed that both Chelsea and Watford had informed the federation that their players would not honour the Zambia encounter.
Meanwhile, Rohr has congratulated Imama Amapakabo after the Eagles assistant coach led Rangers to a historic league win.
Imama made history on Sunday when in his first season led Rangers to the league title after they last triumphed in 1984.
credit: punchng
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