Promotion to full Nigeria squad pleases Henry Onyekuru

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Nov 10, 2018. 10:00

Galatasary striker Henry Onyekuru has expressed his happiness at being promoted to Nigeria’s full squad for their upcoming matches.

The 21-year-old striker, who is on loan at the Turkish Super Lig giants from Premier League club Everton, was initially named on the reserve list for the Super Eagles’ latest squad.

However, a recent injury to first-choice forward Odion Ighalo has seen Onyekuru promoted to the full selection by manager Gernot Rohr.

Ighalo suffered a hamstring injury in a Chinese Super League game in midweek, making him the latest absentee blow to Nigeria, who were already without Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi and Francis Uzoho.

The Super Eagles face hosts South Africa in a crunch 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group E qualifier in Johannesburg next Saturday, followed by a friendly with Uganda three days later.

Onyekuru’s promotion from the reserve list has come as a welcome boost for the forward, who has scored two goals in nine Super Lig appearances since heading to Istanbul.

“I am happy with another chance to play for Nigeria. Good to get promotion from standby to regular invitation,” Onyekuru is quoted by Nigeria’s Football Live.

The Nigerian played in Gala’s 2-0 loss to Schalke in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, and will look to feature again in their Super Lig clash away to Kayserispor later today.