Oviri Kelvin, Sports Editor, Abuja
The Nigeria international and Watford striker, Emmanuel Dennis, met with the key figures of the Nigerian football governing body (NFF) to rebuild burnt tiles to boost the Super Eagles chances of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Dennis amid other Nigerian professional footballers, who had discussions with Amaju Pinnick and the Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare, shelved the call by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to represent the country in the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon over what he termed missed-timed.
Despite his impressive performance earlier this season for Watford, Dennis, who is yet to feature for Nigeria in any football game since November 2020, was never part of the plans of the sacked German coach, Gernot Rohr.
Besides, Augustine Eguavoen, who replaced Rohr in the interim, attempted to include Dennis in his squad for the AFCON tournament was unable to get the Watford striker among his team list for the bi-annual continental event.
NFF’s meeting with Dennis, is to rebuild the relationship with the player that has been severed by the former head coach of the Nigeria Super Eagles, Rohr.
Read More: Brighton’s 2-0 win: Man United leapfrog Westham in top-four
Other Watford players, William Troost-Ekong, Samuel Kalu and Peter Etebo were in the meeting to foster the reunion between NFF and Dennis.
It is still uncertain if the meeting between both parties was fruitful but Nigerians will be on the know during the first leg of the World Cup qualifiers between Ghana and Nigeria.
The NFF President has characterised the meeting with Dennis as an avenue to clear the air stating that the Nigerian team should be comprised of qualified players at the World Cup and should not be about “making up the figures”.
He said, “In furtherance to my tweets regarding our plans to ensure we qualify for this year’s @FIFAWorldCup in Qatar, we’ve held a series of meetings in London with our Super Eagles players. It was me, the team secretary, the coach & technical adviser of the team. “The Ministry of Youth & Sports Development, led by the Honourable Minister, @SundayDareSD also had a zoom meeting with over 30 players of the Super Eagles squad. Aside the chance to introduce the new members of the coaching crew to the team, it was also a chance to have “clear the air” talks. And I’m so proud of the commitment [sic] and zeal I’m seeing and getting from the team. From players like Etebo, Kelechi, Troost & new lad, Lookman, the message was & is clear; we will play at the World Cup and give a good account of ourselves.
“We are not going to Qatar to make up the numbers. We are going to give it our best shot. I’d like to, again, thank the Honourable Minister, @SundayDareSD. It might sound like a broken record at this point, but his support is truly massive. From ensuring we get the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, to joining in the zoom call with over 30 members of the National Team, his energy is truly infectious. Again. Make no mistake. World Cup qualification is non-negotiable. We are putting all of our efforts on getting the ticket,” he said.
