Nigeria’s AFCON Squad Hit by Double Blow as Dennis and Osimhen Withdraw
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been rocked by Nigeria‘s sudden striker crisis, with Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen both ruled out of the tournament. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) confirmed Dennis’ absence in a fiery statement, accusing Watford of “baring fangs” by refusing to release their in-form forward. Meanwhile, Osimhen’s withdrawal due to a second bout of COVID-19 leaves the Super Eagles scrambling for replacements.
Why Emmanuel Dennis Won’t Feature in AFCON
Watford manager Claudio Ranieri clarified that Nigeria missed the FIFA-mandated deadline to request Dennis’ release, giving the Hornets legal grounds to retain their star striker. The 24-year-old, who has been pivotal in Watford’s Premier League campaign with 8 goals and 5 assists this season, expressed his desire to represent Nigeria but ultimately accepted the club’s decision.
Mcw Casino sources reveal that the NFF’s administrative lapse—failing to submit paperwork on time—has sparked backlash among Nigerian fans. Slavia Prague’s Peter Olayinka has been called up as Dennis’ replacement, but his lack of top-tier experience raises questions about Nigeria’s attacking depth.
Victor Osimhen’s COVID-19 Setback
Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s most lethal striker, was already a doubt after suffering facial fractures in November. His recent positive COVID-19 test dashed hopes of a heroic return. Napoli confirmed the 23-year-old is asymptomatic but must isolate, ruling him out of AFCON entirely.
Olympiakos winger Henry Onyekuru steps in, but his inconsistent form pales in comparison to Osimhen’s 9 Serie A goals this season. With Egypt’s Mohamed Salah awaiting in Nigeria’s Group D opener on January 11, the Super Eagles face an uphill battle.
Ian Wright’s Fiery Defense of AFCON Amid Media “Disrespect”
Former Arsenal legend Ian Wright slammed European media for their “racially tinged” coverage of AFCON, calling out the double standards compared to Euro 2020.
Wright’s viral Instagram rant highlighted the hypocrisy of questioning African players’ commitment to their national teams while European stars face no such scrutiny. Mcw Casino echoes his sentiment, emphasizing that AFCON deserves the same respect as UEFA’s flagship tournament.
Premier League Clubs Affected by AFCON Call-Ups
With 40 Premier League players potentially departing for Cameroon, clubs like Liverpool (Salah, Mané), Arsenal (Partey), and Chelsea (Mendy) face squad disruptions. Key matches in January, including FA Cup and Carabao Cup fixtures, could be decided by absent stars.
Key Absences:
- Liverpool: Salah (Egypt), Mané (Senegal)
- Arsenal: Thomas Partey (Ghana)
- Leicester: Ndidi (Nigeria), Iheanacho (Nigeria)
Conclusion: AFCON’s Impact and the Road Ahead
Nigeria’s striker woes and Watford’s firm stance on Emmanuel Dennis underscore the club-vs-country debate raging in football. As Mcw Casino analyzes, the Super Eagles must now rely on untested alternatives, while European clubs brace for midseason upheaval.
Will administrative errors cost Nigeria AFCON glory? Can Ian Wright’s call for respect change the narrative? Share your thoughts below and follow Mcw Casino for more in-depth football analysis!
