Ex-Chelsea Striker Shevchenko Reserves Special Praise For Five Super Eagles Stars

Published: September 09, 2019

Former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko praised the Super Eagles players, specifically those based in England, in the build-up to tomorrow's international friendly between Ukraine and Nigeria.

Gernot Rohr has selected Everton's Alex Iwobi, West Brom's Semi Ajayi, Brighton's Leon Balogun, Stoke City's Oghenekaro Etebo and Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho in a 22-man squad for the historic game.

Ukraine boss Shevchenko reiterated that the Ukrainian Association of Football opted to face Nigeria in a friendly because all the European nations were involved in the EURO 2020 qualifiers in this FIFA window for international matches.

Speaking to reporters at Monday's pre-match press conference, Shevchenko said : ''First of all, it is now difficult to find a European team as an opponent because everyone participates in the qualifying round.

''There are very few teams that do not play during this period. Some agreed among themselves in advance. Therefore, we found a very good team.

"The Nigeria team is physically strong, with good players, most of whom play in England. So tomorrow's match will be very interesting.''

Leicester City's Wilfred Ndidi would have increased the number of Super Eagles players based in England but was excused from the game while Kenneth Omeruo and Henry Onyekuru, who were on the books of Chelsea and Everton respectively until this summer, are sorting out their work permits and asked to be left out of the roster.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel