Interim coach of the Super Eagles, Augustine Eguavoen, has disclosed that former Arsenal centre back, Semi Ajayi, is very eager to play for the West Africans at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Cameroon.
Eguavoen reveals that Ajayi, who currently plays for West Brom, jumped at the chance to play for Nigeria at the 2021 AFCON.
According to him, the 28-year-old was considered for selection because he was selected by former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr in the provisional squad list submitted to the Confederation of African Football, CAF.
“Semi Ajayi, obviously he was not on the 28-man list, but he was on the alternate list. Kevin Akpoguma was on the alternate list, Onyekuru and co,” Eguavoen told NFF TV.
“And then we reached out to Semi, he jumped at it. I think that is the spirit we want because it’s not a right for everybody to coach and play for Nigeria, it’s a privilege.
“If it is not coming, we have to take it, if it comes, you have to grab it so that’s where we are.
“We are expecting them after their last games so we can have a full house.”
Ajayi last played for Nigeria against Sierra Leone in November 2020.
The defender fell out of favour with Rohr after West Brom was relegated from the Premier League to the Championship last season.
