As many as eight players of the senior national team of Nigeria have been ruled out of their upcoming AFCON 2022 qualifiers games against Benin Republic and Lesotho respectively.
Owngoalnigeria.com exclusively gathered that the England base players in the team led by Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Semi Ajayi and Ola Aina have all told the technical crew that they won’t be able to make it for the game.
The players are key to the aim of their respective teams goals this season and if they honour the game, they will be required to undergo a mandatory quarantine for seven days as part of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.
That will see them miss at least two games for their teams who have been told by world football governing body that they are not under any kind of rule to release their players for this month international round of games.
Nantes have already informed Moses Simon that he won’t be released for the game owning to same reason as mention above,and even a plea by coach Gernot Rohr to have him play only the first game against Benin Republic was rejected by the French Ligue 1 side.
Jamilu Collins of Paderborn have always been ruled out of the game by his team Paderborn who are keen on having him around for the business end of the season. Allowing him to travel will see him miss three league games.
Napoli have also informed Victor Osimhen that he won’t be released for the game as he bids his way back to full fitness after contacting coronavirus during his last trip to Nigeria.