By Victor Kanayo
Southampton and Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo has pulled out of an international friendly clash between Nigeria and Algeria after he asked to be left out.
He said his reason was that he wants to rest.
The Super Eagles will play two matches against Algeria on Friday September 23 and Tuesday 27.
The first match will be on September 23 in Constantine against a mainly home-based Algerian team, before they take on the main national team four days later in Oran.
Originally, the CHAN Eagles were to play the first game on September 23.
However, they failed to qualify for the CHAN after they were eliminated by arch-rivals Ghana in a final playoff.
“Aribo is very much part of Jose Peseiro’s plans,” an official of Super Eagles said.
“He was not dropped for the matches against Algeria because the player asked to be excused for him to tabke some rest after his recent transfer to the Premier League in England.”
Alex Iwobi will be expected to play a more attacking role in midfield, while Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and uncapped Raphael Onyedika will jostle for the defensive midfield positions.
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