fbpx
Home Sports AFCON: Ranieri’s comments raise concerns over Emmanuel Dennis’ drop from Super Eagles squad

AFCON: Ranieri’s comments raise concerns over Emmanuel Dennis’ drop from Super Eagles squad

by Editor lll
0 comment 2 minutes read

By Lawrence Oshodi –

Watford manager, Claudio Ranieri’s comment regarding Emmanuel Dennis participating at the African Cup of Nations has raised concerns on the reasons the striker was dropped from the Super Eagles squad.

While speaking to the English press after their 4-1 loss to West Ham, Ranieri stated that the pre-callup notification did not arrive at the right time adding that the Nigeria Football Federation did not respect the timeline of sending national team call-ups.

He said, “Look, I know, it’s not arrived at the right moment, we have to wait very well.

“The national team has time to send the pre-calls [call ups], they don’t respect the days.”

The 70-year-old added that since the call-up notification did not come in early, the club reserved the right to either permit Dennis to leave for national assignment or stay at the club.

“The email arrived late to pre-call [Dennis]. Do you know what I mean? The national team has a time, during this time, they have to send the pre-call. If they don’t send the pre-call, we can choose,” Ranieri concluded.

His comments have been perceived in different quarters as a major reason the 24-year-old was dropped from the squad.

The NFF, its squad announcement squad, said Watford was lexing its muscles for preventing the former Club Brugge star from representing Nigeria.

“In-form rapid raider Emmanuel Dennis, whose English Premiership club is baring fangs, has been excused,” the NFF stated.

Dennis has been The Hornets talisman in their bid to avoid relegation to the Championship, scoring four goals in his last five appearances.

Interim coach, Austin Eguavoen, opened the Super Eagles pre-tournament camp on Wednesday, December 29, and would be without key players like star striker Victor Osimhen and defender Leon Balogun.

The 2021 AFCON, which is set to kick off on January 9 in Cameroon, has come under scrutiny from the European Clubs Association who have called for the tournament to be postponed due to health concerns.

You may also like

Leave a Comment

About Us

FRONTVIEW AFRICA is a Pan-African online Newspaper and Television with sharp, clear and factual News.

@2024 – All Right Reserved.