Nigeria puts Eagles on stand-by
by George Akpayen 11 January 2013, 08:49
Nigeria have opted to continue to retain dropped goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi in their pre-Afcon camp.
Akpeyi, who plays for Nigeria Premier League (NPL) club, Heartland, has been put on stand-by following doubts over goalkeeper Austin Ejide's health.
Portland Timbers' forward, Bright Dike, has also been told by the Nigerian selectors to remain in camp after missing out on the 23-man squad to the Africa Cup of Nations announced this week.
Ejide is said to be nursing an tear to his tendon which he pulled during the pre-Afcon friendly against Cape Verde Islands on Wednesday.
Supersport.com has been informed that Nigeria team doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran, has told head coach, Stephen Keshi that Ejide's injury would be scrutinised once again on Friday before a decision is made.
"No decision has been reached yet on Ejide or players put on stand-by. The team doctor has not given any details yet on Ejide's health but as precaution Daniel Akpeyi and Bright Dike are still in camp," spokesman of the Nigerian squad, Ben Alaiya disclosed to supersport.com on Friday morning.
Keshi is expected to make an official statement on Friday, supersport.com was informed.
Nigeria's Super Eagles are currently camped in Faro, Portugal ahead of the Afcon, which kicks off on January 19 in South Africa.
