A 30-man list has been released by the handlers of the Nigeria senior football team, known as the Super Eagles. The list is for invited players that do battle with Liberia and Cape Verde in the next FIFA break for the 2022 world cup qualifiers round.
The 30-man list released on Thursday 26th August 2021, consists of seven players who are likely to replace players based in the United Kingdom, due to the stringent COVID-19 laws that have been placed on countries seen by the UK government as red zone areas for the deadly COVID-19.
The 30-man list for the 2022 world cup qualifiers as released on Thursday, are:
Goalkeepers:
Maduka Okoye
Francis Uzoho
Daniel Akpeyi
Defenders:
William Ekong
Chidozie Awaziem
Jamiu Collins
Leon Balogun
Ola Aina
Kenneth Omeruo
Kelvin Akpoguma
Zaidu Sanusi
Shehu Abdullahi
Midfielders:
Wilfred Ndidi
Oghenekaro Etebo
Frank Onyeka
Joseph Aribio
Forwards:
Ahmed Musa
Moses Simon
Alex Iwobi
Samuel Kalu
Victor Osimhen
Kelechi Iheanacho
Paul Onuachu
Players to Replace UK Players
Henry Onyekuru
Terem Moffi
Chidera Ejuke
Bonke Innocent
Valentine Ozornwafor
Tyronne Ebuehi
Kingsley Michael
Super Eagles first game will be against Liberia on September 3rd 2021, in Nigeria and that of Cape Verde will be on the 7th September 2021, away.
Is Nigeria On The UK Red List Countries?
Nigeria is currently not on the UK Red list countries, but their opponent for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers clash, Cape Verde is on the red list countries, while Liberia is not on the list.
The UK has tighter travel restrictions in place to reduce the introduction and transmission of new variants of COVID-19 from red list countries.
The countries on the red list include:
- Afghanistan
- Angola
- Argentina
- Bangladesh
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Burundi
- Cape Verde
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- French Guiana
- Georgia
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Indonesia
- Kenya
- La Reunion
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Mayotte
- Mexico
- Mongolia
- Montenegro (from 4.00 am on Monday 30 August)
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Rwanda
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Tanzania
- Thailand (from 4.00 am on Monday 30 August)
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Statement By English Premier League On Red List Countries:
English Premier League clubs a few days ago, released a statement saying that they will not release players for international matches played in so-called “red-list” countries next month.
The League announced on Tuesday that players who travelled to red-list countries would have to follow coronavirus quarantine regulations upon their return, ruling them out of several of their club’s matches.
“Premier League clubs have today reluctantly but unanimously decided not to release players for international matches played in red-list countries next month,” the Premier League said in a statement on their website.
“The clubs’ decision, which is strongly supported by the Premier League, will apply to nearly 60 players from 19 Premier League clubs who are due to travel to 26 red-list countries in the September international window.
“This follows FIFA’s current position not to extend its temporary release exception for players required to quarantine on their return from international duty.”
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters added, “Premier League clubs have always supported their players’ desires to represent their countries – this is a matter of pride for all concerned. However, clubs have reluctantly but rightly come to the conclusion that it would be entirely unreasonable to release players under these new circumstances.”
“Quarantine requirements mean that players’ welfare and fitness will be significantly impacted. We understand the challenges that exist in the international match calendar and remain open to workable solutions,” he said.