By Amaechi Agbo

Ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Cameroon, there is unease calm in the camp of Super Eagles in Abuja as More players have withdrawn from the squad, www.bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

Victor Osimhen of Napoli, Italy; Cyprus-based Abdullahi Shehu; Rangers of Scotland defender, Leon Balogun as well as Watford FC of England striker, Emmanuel Dennis have all withdrawn from the squad.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF who confirmed the withdrawals of the players from the squad on Saturday also announced their replacements.

In a releases headlined “Health concerns, injuries constrain changes to Nigeria’s final 28-man list for AFCON 2021,” NFF provided explanations on their withdrawals and subsequent replacements

“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.

“The goalkeeping department is untouched, but the forced exclusion of Cyprus –based Shehu, who can slot easily into sections of the defence and midfield, has made way for hard-as-nails right back Tyrone Ebuehi, now with Venezia in the Italian Serie A, and England –based Oluwasemilogo Ajayi returns to the group for Africa’s flagship football championship following injury to centre-back Leon Balogun. Ajayi can also play as a midfielder.

“Osimhen’s absence paves way for Greece-based Henry Onyekuru who was also at the last finals in Egypt. In-form rapid raider Emmanuel Dennis, whose English Premiership club is baring fangs, has been excused to provide room for Czech Republic –based forward Peter Olayinka,” NFF said.

The Super Eagles camp opened on Thursday but only 6 players have arrived the Bolton White Hotel in Abuja, the base of the Eagles

The six players in camp are Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain), Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), John Noble (Enyimba FC), Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany).

The 33rd Africa Cup of Nations finals will end on 6th February but the Super Eagles will begin their campaign against the Pharaohs of Egypt on January 11.