Porto's Awaziem Wins Competition For Super Eagles RB Role Ahead Of Omeruo, Balogun & Idowu

Published: September 08, 2018

Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Porto defender Chidozie Awaziem has won the competition for the Super Eagles right back role for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Seychelles.

The three right backs at the top of the pecking order, Abdullahi Shehu, Tyronne Ebuehi and Ola Aina, have not reported for international duty owing to injuries, and manager Gernot Rohr has decided to deploy Chidozie Awaziem in that position.

Brighton's Leon Balogun, Chelsea loanee Kenneth Omeruo and the most versatile player in the current squad Brian Idowu are also good at playing right-back but Rohr does not want to tinker with his trusted starting lineup as it would mean handing a full debut to the untested SC Paderborn 07 defender Jamilu Collins at left back.

On top of that, there are concerns over the fitness of Collins after he failed to complete Paderborn's last match in the 2 Bundesliga, as the game will be played on an artificial turf.

Last season, Awaziem acted as a right sided defensive player in seven of the 22 matches he played for Nantes in Ligue 1.

The 21-year-old has functioned as a central defender in four appearances for the Super Eagles.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : Twitter.com/AwaziemC