Emmanuel Dennis may miss AFCON 2021 – Ranieri
Watford manager, Claudio Ranieri, has said he may not release Emmanuel Dennis for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, due to late submission of call-up letter by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
According to the coach, the letter of invitation from the Nigeria Football Federation reached Watford late.
Despite the Hornets’ poor form, Dennis has been impressive, scoring eight goals and assisting five and is only second to Liverpool winger, Mohamed Salah, in terms of Premier League goal involvements this season.
READ ALSO: Osimhen, Ighalo, Dennis makes Nigeria 28-man AFCON 2022 list
However, there is a possibility that the 24-year-old could miss the biggest African showpiece.
“I’m not so sure I’ll miss Dennis now and if he goes to the national team, we have to wait,” said Ranieri, according to The Athletic.
“The email didn’t arrive at the right moment. The national team has time to send a pre-call. They didn’t respect the days, and I want to see them.
“The email arrived late. “They have a time when they need to send a pre-call; if they don’t send it, we can choose.”
Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has named his 28-final list of the Super Eagles of Nigeria for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Cameroon 9th January – 6th February 2022, with Captain Ahmed Musa, midfield Wilfred Ndidi and attackers Victor Osimhen and Dennis all making the list.
Celebrating his being named in the 28-man Nigeria squad, Dennis posted on Twitter, “Proud to get a call up to represent my country.
The three-time winners will confront seven-time and record winners Egypt, Sudan and debutants Guinea Bissau with venue in the northern town of Garoua, and a mouth-watering clash with the Pharaohs in the group opener on Tuesday, 11th January means the Eagles must hit the ground at a blistering pace.
All invited players are expected to arrive in camp in Nigeria’s federal capital, Abuja on December 29, with the UK-based players expected to start arriving on Monday, January 3.
