Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has handed late Unity Cup call-ups to Yira Collins Sor and Tijani Al-Ameen as preparations gather pace for next week’s tournament in London.
KRC Genk winger Sor returns to the national team after featuring in Nigeria’s international friendlies against Iran and Jordan in March. The wide man made his debut in the 2-2 draw against Jordan.
Al-Ameen, who has impressed for Shooting Stars in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) this season, also earned a place in the squad following a string of eye-catching displays at the back.
Chelle had earlier unveiled a 27-man squad for the invitational competition on Wednesday, but Swedish club AIK refused to release winger Zadok Yohanna for the tournament.
The Super Eagles coach is expected to leave Abuja for London today, May 22, alongside the home-based players and members of his technical crew.
Nigeria will take on Zimbabwe in the semi-final at the Valley next Tuesday. The winners will face either India or Jamaica in the final scheduled for Saturday, May 30.
Meanwhile, Ola Aina has resumed training with Nottingham Forest ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against AFC Bournemouth.
Forest manager Vítor Pereira confirmed the defender’s return after weeks on the sidelines with an injury sustained against Aston Villa on April 30.
The Nigerian international subsequently missed Forest’s recent fixture against Manchester United and had been considered doubtful for the final game of the season.
“Murillo stays without training with the team. Ola (Aina) started today on the pitch,” Pereira said in quotes published on Nottingham Forest’s official website.
“I think Dan (Ndoye) has worked two times with the team, but we will see. I think that is all.
“We are in a moment of the season where we can’t take risks because this is a game we want to win.
“It’s not a final or a game to decide big things. Of course, we want to win the game, we want three points and finish in the positions in the table.
“We will do everything to get a good result, but it is not possible to take risks at this moment.”
NaijaNews / Tunmise Adesanmi
