Red-hot Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu has been called up to the national team for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho.
The lanky forward was initially left out of the 24-man squad released by the head coach Gernot Rohr, earlier this month.
Onuachu’s omission had raised dust as fans slammed Rohr’s decision to place the striker on standby despite his high-flying form for Genk this season.
The lanky centre-forward has bagged 27 goals across all competitions for the Blue and White, including his strike against Anderlecht in Sunday’s Belgian Cup tie.
However, Onuachu has been handed a call up for the encounters as Moses Simon, who plies his trade in France to miss the crucial double-header due to the country’s Covid-19 protocol.
“Following the uncertainty regarding the availability of players based in France [due to COVID 19 laws guiding the country], Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr has extended an invitation to KRC Genk striker Paul Onuachu. Henry Onyekuru was earlier called up to replace injured Samuel Kalu,” read a statement from the NFF media channel.
Nantes have already confirmed the club will not be releasing any of their players for international games outside the European territory.
“Like several clubs in France, FC Nantes will not release its selected international players for matches outside the European area during the next international break scheduled for the end of March,” read a statement from the club website.
“In the absence of health guarantees in accordance with the requirements of the French government in force to date, FC Nantes will not be able to release its internationals outside the limits of the European space.
“This decision, based on FIFA circular 1749 of February 5, is justified by the return protocol imposed on travellers who have travelled outside the European Union, who must in particular respect a seven-day isolation.
“The players concerned would also be unable to take part in the match of the 31st day of Ligue 1 Uber Eats, scheduled for Sunday, April 4, between FC Nantes and OGC Nice [3 p.m.].”
The three-time African champions will take on the Squirrels at Stade Charles de Gaulle in Porto Novo on March 27 before facing the Crocodiles three days later at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
Victory over Benin or Lesotho will seal the Super Eagles place in Cameroon next year.
