The senior national team of Nigeria are having a mini crisis in defence as key senior members of the backline are not getting regular run of games ahead of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers playoff against Ghana.
Nigeria will take on Ghana in a two legged playoff on the 24th in Ghana and three days later in Nigeria to determine the country that will make it to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Ahead of the game, OwnGoalNigeria.com gathered that interim technical adviser of the Nigerian team Austine Eguavoen isn’t in anyway happy with the lack of playing time his defenders are currently facing at their clubsides.
His fear is that it could see them lose sharpness before the crunch tie, which is also instrumental to the stay of the coach at the helm of the senior national team of Nigeria. For now only Kenneth Omeruo and Semi Ajayi are enjoying regular run of games since after the Africa Cup of Nations.
At Scottish side Rangers, Leon Balogun has been battling with injuries and fitness and it has limited his game time to just one full senior game since January. Ironically Calvin Bassey a one time Super Eagles invitee has been deputising brilliantly in his absence.
Worst of all is Alanyaspor defender Chidozie Awaziem who has only played one out of five for his club since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, where he was a bit part player for the Nigerian team.
At Watford William Troost Ekong, the vice captain of the Nigerian team has been frozen out by new coach Roy Hodgson. He hasn’t played a single minute since the coach took over. Meaning he is without match practice since the exit of Nigeria from the AFCON.
Ola Aina is also not faring any better at Italian Serie A side Torino with no game since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Jamilu Collins at second division German side Paderborn has only played once and that came over the weekend against Erzgebirge Aue in a 3-3 draw.
Tyrone Ebuehi is currently out injured but shouldn’t be much of a problem as Shehu Abdullahi has returned back to full fitness playing in all of the last three games for Omonia Nicosia. Zaidu Sanusi has also been ever present for FC Porto this season.
