Pinnick provides update on Watford star Etebo ahead of Nigeria squad announcement

Less than two weeks before Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr announces his roster for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Nigerian Federation supremo Amaju Pinnick has provided a fitness update on Watford central midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo.

The Stoke City loanee has not featured for the Hornets since September 25 when he played the last fifteen minutes of a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United, due to injury.

Etebo has had surgery on the tear in his quad and is expected to be out of action for between four to five months.

Pinnick had confirmed that the 2016 Olympics bronze medalist is definitely not in contention to be called up for this month's matches against Liberia and Cape Verde and is more or less ruled out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations holding in Cameroon.

The NFF boss made the disclosure after visiting Etebo, whom he knows from way back in Warri .

 

"He is also recuperating very well but definitely cannot make the next two World Cup qualifiers, Nations Cup might also be a doubt, importantly he should heal 100% by His Grace and rejoin the Team," Pinnick said in a press release.

"He is in a great spirit with the right mental state of mind".

Prior to his spell on the sidelines, Etebo suited up in seven matches across all competitions for Watford, logging 460 minutes.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel