The Super Eagles find themselves without three proven forwards as Victor Osimhen and Odion Ighalo have also been ruled out of their plans
Emmanuel Dennis has been a revelation at Watford in 2021-22, with eight Premier League goals scored on the back of a bargain £3.4 million ($5m) move from Club Brugge, but the 24-year-old will play no part for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations. The in-form frontman would have been expected to star for his country at a major international tournament, but he is among those watching on from afar as continental glory is chased down by others in Cameroon.
Why is Emmanuel Dennis not playing at Afcon 2021? The Watford forward was not included in Nigeria’s initial 37-man provisional squad pieced together by former coach Gernot Rohr.
He was added to a 40-man party in December, but those in England claimed that a deadline had been missed in which Afcon nations had to inform club sides of their intention to call upon certain players. The Nigerian FA said in a statement on Instagram after being forced to select alternative options: “In-form rapid raider Emmanuel Dennis, whose English Premiership club is baring fangs, has been excused to provide room for Czech Republic-based forward Peter Olayinka.”
After blocking Dennis from linking up with his country, having reluctantly agreed to let Ismaila Sarr join up with Senegal on the back of an injury, Watford boss Claudio Ranieri was quizzed on whether the Hornets were disrespecting Afcon.
The Italian said: “No. They have a lot of players and then they changed the managers and everything. We were ready to give over the players, they didn't do it. The two boards spoke and for me it is OK.
“Of course he wanted to go to play but he also wanted to help Watford.
“I knew the board and Nigerian board were speaking. I accept every decision they find and that for me is finished.”