Rohr Hints Awaziem & Aina Will Continue As Fullbacks As Shehu, Collins Ruled Out Of Madagascar Clash

Abdullahi Shehu and Jamilu Collins have been ruled out of Nigeria's final group match at the Africa Cup of Nations against Madagascar on Sunday, according to manager Gernot Rohr.

The German football tactician has hinted that Chelsea Academy product Ola Aina and Porto-owned defender Chidozie Awaziem will continue as fullbacks in tomorrow's game and remains optimistic that Shehu and Collins will be available for selection for the knockout rounds.

''Collins and Shehu are on the way to recovery, they are having special training sessions with the physical coach and physio, even this morning,'' Rohr told reporters, including allnigeriasoccer.com.

''I hope they will be available for the next game, not for this one. This one is too short, we don't want to take risks. We have enough players, 21 players.

''It is true that that they are fullbacks but Awaziem and Ola Aina did the job well, we didn't concede any goal so there is no reason to take a risk to bring them in tomorrow.''

While Shehu suffered a hamstring problem against Burundi last weekend which led to this substitution three minutes before half-time, Collins picked up an injury in the team's final workout before their AFCON opener.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : cafonline.com