Emmanuel Dennis will not be in Oran for Tuesday’s friendly between Algeria and Nigeria, Nottingham Forest have announced.
The Forest forward was invited as a late replacement for Henry Onyekuru, who pulled out due to injury, and there were insinuations that Dennis refused to honour the Super Eagles call-up.
However, the Premier League club have cleared the air, explaining that Dennis is indeed injured.
While reporting that 12 of their players will be on international duty this week and next week, Forest explained the situation with their Nigerian stars.
“Taiwo Awoniyi has been called up to the Nigeria squad for their friendly against Algeria on Tuesday 27th September, 8pm kick-off UK time,” the club stated on their official website today.
“Emmanuel Dennis, meanwhile, has withdrawn due to injury.”
Dennis has previous with the Super Eagles concerning ignoring invitations.
The 24-year-old, who joined Forest for €15m in August, opted out of Nigeria’s squad to the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon in January, instead staying back at Watford, who still ended up getting relegated.
Dennis, who has seven Nigeria caps with one goal, is yet to impress at Forest, playing a total of just 60 minutes from four appearances.
Meanwhile, Kelechi Iheanacho arrived at the Super Eagles’ camp in Constantine today to bring the number of players in Algeria to 22. Only Francis Uzoho and Ebube Duru are still being expected.
Comments are closed.