Ekong confirms participation in Nigeria friendly with Cameroon

Nigeria’s scheduled friendly matches against Cameroon is at risk after many players withdrew from the Super Eagles squad, while there are complaints about unpaid salaries.

Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr has called up 24 players for the two games, which will take place at the Weiner Neustadt Stadium in Austria on Friday, June 4 and 8, respectively.

However, as many as six players have already pulled out of the squad, Soccernet can confirm. Victor Osimhen, Tyronne Ebuehi, Ola Aina, Simy Nwankwo, Frank Onyeka and Samson Tijani have all pulled out from the squad.

This has left the squad thin, and the domestic players can’t be called up as it’s too late to apply for a visa.

Aside from the injury withdrawals, there is also a feeling of unhappiness in the squad as the players and coaches have not been paid salaries.

Rohr and his goalkeeper coach Alloy Agu are being owed six months and 22 months of unpaid wages, respectively.

Henry Nwosu had urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to sort out the issue before the commencement of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in September.

Although the NFF has paid the players the bonuses for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, the players are yet to receive bonuses for the 2021 Afcon qualifiers.

Meanwhile, Watford centre-back and the team’s vice-captain William Troost Ekong has confirmed his availability for the match. In a post on his Instagram page, the former Udinese defender revealed he’s on his way to Austria for the clash.

The first of the Super Eagles clash against Cameroon is on Friday at the Weiner Neustadt Stadium in Austria, with kick-off time set for 8 pm.