SUPER Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has recalled Benfica defender Tyronne Ebuehi for the October 13 friendly against Brazil as a replacement for Leganes and ex-Chelsea centreback Kenneth Omeruo who has to withdraw with an injury.
Next weekend, the Eagles will face Brazil’s national team The Selecao at the Singapore National Stadium, in what is a highly anticipated match. Last month, Coach Rohr published the names of 23 players he invited for the game but has now had to make adjustments after Omeruo pulled out of the squad with an injury.
For the match, Mr Rohr had defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Abdullahi Shehu and Chidozie Awaziem back from injury but it appears Omeruo has succumbed to another injury. This has led to the recall of Ebuehi, who last played for Nigeria during the 2018 World Cup but has had a long lay-off since due to a cruciate ligament injury.
On May 19 2018, he signed a five-year contract with Benfica but missed the whole 2018/19 season due to injury and has only returned to action this campaign. After suffering fresh thigh and knew injuries, he is now back to full fitness and poised to reclaim his place in the Super Eagles squad.
This eagerly anticipated encounter taking place at the Singapore National Stadium, Kallang, will be the first time the two sides have met since a friendly in Abuja in 2003. In that game, Brazil won 3-0, getting revenge for Nigeria beating her 3-2 in the semi final of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
With Omeruo out of the game, Coach Rohr will likely to stick to the centreback pairing of William Ekong and Semi Ajayi following their impressive outing against Ukraine. He will most likely now use Ebuehi and Jamilu Collins of German club SC Paderborn 07 as his fullbacks in front of goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.
