Nigeria are reportedly set to omit five of their star players ahead of their FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa.
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With the international break looming, a crucial set of qualifiers is on the horizon in the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Group C. The Super Eagles are currently languishing in fourth place, six points behind mini-log leaders South Africa, with the two sides set to meet on 9 September at the Free State Stadium.
Bafana Bafana’s lead at the top could, however, be impacted significantly, with a points deduction still a possibility after the team allegedly fielded an ineligible player, though a verdict on the matter has yet to be delivered.
That makes the upcoming clash between the two rivals even more crucial if either side is to successfully book their ticket to the global showpiece in Mexico, Canada and the United States of America.
While the three-time African champions boast a star-studded squad, Africasoccer.com has suggested that Nigeria boss Eric Chelle is likely to exclude five high-profile players from his squad for the matches against Bafana and Rwanda.
The Malian has begun preparations, and the same report claims that he does not plan on including Victor Boniface, Maduka Okoye, Kelechi Iheanacho, Joe Aribo and Semi Ajayi.
Boniface, who appears bound for AC Milan, has allegedly fallen out of favour with Chelle, while the exclusion of shot-stopper Okoye is reportedly linked to an alleged betting scandal. As for Iheanacho and Aribo, both are unlikely to be named in the final squad due to uncertainty surrounding their club futures.
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Centre-back Ajayi, meanwhile, will miss the clash through a hamstring injury, which is expected to keep him sidelined for just over a month.
