Emenike, Omeruo out of Mandela Challenge

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has
excused striker Emmanuel Emenike and
defender Kenneth Omeruo from his squad to
the Nelson Mandela Challenge in South Africa
next week. Keshi stated that Emenike is being allowed
time to settle with his new club Fenerbache,
while Omeruo is out on the account of the
shoulder injury he suffered during FIFA
Confederations Cup. He was said to have
suffered a relapse and the fast rising centre back is receiving attention from Chelsea
doctors. In their places, Free State Stars of South Africa
ace Gege Soriola and Chippa United’s James
Okwuosa, also based in South Africa, have been
called up as replacements. Team technical crew, said they took the
decision to call up two central defenders
because there are enough options upfront for
the encounter against Bafana Bafana next
Wednesday. “We also need to start grooming new
defenders who are promising for upcoming
challenges and we found the two players
invited thus far very promising,”Keshi said. Keshi added that Emenike in particular has a lot
of hurdles to cross at his new club and the
management of the national team have to
oblige him. “We will need him in the World Cup qualifier but
he has a lot of things to do at his new club and
we must give him that opportunity. But I must
say we are in good contact and we are happy
with the way things are going with our top
players in the transfer market,” he said.