Five of the 31 Super Eagles players that reported to the team’s pre-29th Africa Cup of Nations camp in Faro, Portugal, have been ruled out from the tournament holding Jan. 19 to Feb. 10 in South Africa.
Yesterday, Rabiu Ibrahim, who recently moved from Celtic in the Scottish Premier League to Kilmanock, Enyimba’s Henry Uche and Papa Idris of Kano Pillars left camp after being informed by Coach Stephen Keshi that they will not make the team.
On Saturday, Rizespor of Turkey forward, Uche Kalu, had ruled himself out from the tournament after struggling to overcome a groin injury.
Meanwhile, snippets from the camp indicate that the team’s fourth goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi of Heartland, would most likely not make the team since Chigozie Agbim of Warri Wolves has already firmly established himself as a credible alternative to foreign-based Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide.
That means that Keshi now has to crack his brain about the three more players to drop either tonight or after tomorrow’s warm-up match against Cape Verde to arrive at the 23 required by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
•Photo: Rabiu Ibrahim is one of those who failed to make the mark.
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