Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr has handed Shehu Abdullahi a late call up for their AFCON 2022 qualifiers against Sierra Leone this month. The 27-year-old who currently plays for Omonia Nicosia was initially on the standby list but has now been handed the opportunity to feature in the doubleheader encounters.
Abdullahi will take the place of FC Midtjylland’s Frank Onyeka in the camp of the three-time African champions ahead of the game this weekend.
Unconfirmed reports from the Nigeria Football Federation claims the 22-year-old pulled out of the game after sustaining an injury while in action for his club and won’t return in time for the match.
Super Eagles camp update: @OfficialShehu replaces injured Frank Onyeka for the AFCON 2022 qualifier against Sierra Leone #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong pic.twitter.com/54tglEpRmL
— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) November 9, 2020
Abdullahi will return to the squad for the first time since November 2019 when Nigeria defeated Lesotho 4-2. He was an unused substitute in the encounter. After making his debut under the late Stephen Keshi in 2014, the 27-year-old has made 31 appearances across competitions for the Eagles.
He was also part of the team that won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations bronze medal following their 1-0 win over Tunisia in Egypt.
(C) Control TV 2020.
