By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria’s chance of winning a fourth African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title may have gotten a dent as another one of its strikers, Odion Ighalo has dropped out after his Saudi Arabian club Al Shabab refused to release him for the tournament in Cameroon.
The 32-year-old top scorer at the last Nations’ Cup in 2019 was initially given a deadline of Tuesday to confirm his availability by interim Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen.
However, Ighalo was not part of the squad that landed in Garoua late on Wednesday.
On Thursday, a statement from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said the player will no longer be expected as a result of issues with his Saudi Arabian club.
Just like the scenario with Watford’s striker, Ighalo’s letter of invitation did not reach the Saudi club within the period specified by world governing body FIFA for receiving players’ call-up letters.
“The FIFA Player Status Regulations stipulates that the federation must notify the player and his club in writing of his summons 15 days before the start of the tournament, and it is advised to send a copy to the local federation of the club as well, which did not happen.
“Accordingly, the coach [Pericles Chamusca] told us that the player will stay with us and will not join the Nigerian team.
“There are no negotiations between us and the Nigerian federation, and the player is committed to the decision. The situation is settled,” a club official noted.
The country will need to work harder with four of its striking options now out and won’t be able to name a replacement.
Last week, the football body confirmed that Nigeria’s top scorer during the 2022 World Cup qualification series, Victor Osimhen, will not be playing in the competition.
The Napoli forward was ruled out due to health issues after the player had expressed readiness to represent the nation in Cameroon.
“Lively forward Victor Osimhen’s positive test to the coronavirus pandemic a couple of days ago and injury to the versatile Abdullahi Shehu have constrained changes to Nigeria’s final 28-man list for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations starting in Cameroon next weekend,” a statement from the NFF read.
Aside from Osimhen, Watford also failed to release in-form striker, Dennis Emmanuel, for Nigeria’s 19th appearance at the continental showpiece.
Rangers of Scotland Defender Leon Balogun and Cyprus-based Abdullahi Shehu were also among the players ruled out of the soccer party last week.
In their stead, Nigeria invited Henry Onyekuru, Peter Olayinka, Tyronne Ebuehi, and Oluwasemilogo Ajayi.
Nigeria begins their AFCON journey on Tuesday, January 11th when they face record winners, Egypt, in the Group D opening fixture. Guinea-Bissau and Sudan are the other teams in the group.
Updated List of Nigeria’s Squad:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn 07, Germany); Tyrone Ebuehi (Venezia FC, Italy); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain).
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Praha, Czech Republic).
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Dipo Olowookere