It’s public knowledge that Watford rave of the moment Emmanuel Dennis is arguably the hottest Nigerian striker abroad owing to his goal tally of six goals and five assists in the English Premier League.
So it made a huge splash when this platform reported that he has decided against representing Nigeria at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. As expected Nigerians expressed their concerns and the forward quickly offered a rebuttal denying that he ever said so.
For the avoidance of doubt, at no point in time did the said report quoted Dennis as saying he won’t be honouring the call up rather a source who has stayed true to this portal from the days of the 24 years old in Ukraine till date was credited with the information.
It’s no news that embattled coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr isn’t a big fan of the wing forward despite handing him his international bow and three more caps. Since over a year Dennis has been kept in the wilderness.
Even when Rohr is asked about him, he most times dismiss him off further adding fuel to talks of a fall out which according to sources happened after the game against Sierra Leone in the AFCON qualifiers.
All that has been said about Dennis in the past points towards a player who is undoubtedly talented but has disciplinary issues. However looking closely at his form of late it’s clear to see that he is bent on changing the narrative by doing the talking on the pitch.
So much is his focus that he ripped up his ticket for the viral WizKid show at the O2 arena in London where he is based in order for him to focus on the game against Chelsea. Of course he scored the lone goal for his team. Clear to say it paid off.
Back to his AFCON snub story, we hope his denial is factual and he indeed honour the chance to aid Nigeria’s quest to lift the Africa Cup of Nations. His form will no doubt be a menace to defenders if he comes good at the AFCON.
However for Dennis to be a menace at the AFCON, he first of all have to mend fences with Rohr but like one of his advisers said that is a thing of the past and he is rearing to go and make Nigeria proud in Cameroon.