Mandela Challenge: Emenike and Omeruo Out!

Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel Emenike and Chelsea’s Kenneth Omeruo have dropped out of Wednesday’s Mandela Challenge match against South Africa in Durban.

Super Eagles team official, Dayo Enebi Achor, said, “He (Emenike) may have been at the club before but he is highly valued in Turkey and he has requested that he be allowed to settle well at the club and the coaches have obliged him.”

On his part, Omeruo, who pulled his shoulder during the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil in Nigeria’s game against Spain, is said to have had a relapse and has been ordered by his club doctors at Chelsea for a proper and permanent solution.

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.

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, said he took the decision to call up two central defenders because there are enough options upfront for the encounter against Bafana Bafana.

“We also need to start grooming new defenders who are promising for upcoming challenges and we found the two players invited satisfactory,” 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 had to oblige him.

“We will need him in the World Cup qualifiers, 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,” Keshi said.

The Super Eagles are expected to fly out on Sunday night to South Africa for the encounter against Bafana Bafana.[Punch]