Onyekuru Withdraws From Super Eagles Squad

AS Monaco winger Henry Onyekuru has withdrawn from the Super Eagles squad that will face Ukraine in an international friendly billed for September 10 in Dnipro.

The 22-year-old has asked to be excluded from the team to allow him time to settle down and fight for a starting role at the Red and Whites.

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has since called Emmanuel Deniss to replace the former Everton man.

At the same time, Rohr issued a stunning warning to the players stating that lateness to the camp will not be tolerated.

“Ukraine is a very good team and I don’t think we will approach the game in a friendly manner but like a cup game. I see every game like a true competition and I want the players to also think the same way,” he told reporters.

“We want to win because that’s our priority for the Ukraine clash. The players we have invited are also aware that they need to arrive at camp early in order to create understanding amongst all the players.

“This is a game we must approach with all seriousness and I am sure the players will not disappoint.”

Leganes forward Kenneth Omeruo, Wilfred Ndidi and Tyronne Ebuehi have also withdrawn from the match with Bryan Idowu, Anderson Esiti and Josh Maja called up as replacements.

Captain Ahmed Musa has been cleared for the match against Ukraine despite picking up a knee injury in Al Nassr’s 1-0 away win at Al Fateh last Friday.

The Ukraine friendly will serve as part of the preparation for the Super Eagles’ 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games against the Squirrels of Benin billed to hold on November 11 at a yet to be named venue in Nigeria.

The game will be the first match the team will be playing after winning the third-place match against Tunisia at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.