'We didn't miss Chukwueze' - Okocha impressed by strength in depth of Super Eagles squad

1994 Africa Cup of Nations-winning midfielder Austin Okocha is impressed by the strength in depth of the Super Eagles squad at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Interim Nigeria manager Augustine Eguavoen used the depth of his squad to his advantage in the impressive win over Egypt on Tuesday evening, bringing in five substitutes including four AFCON debutants in Chidera Ejuke, Umar Sadiq, Kelechi Nwakali and Semi Ajayi.

The absence of Victor Osimhen, Odion Ighalo and Emmanuel Dennis wasn't the end of the world for the Super Eagles, with Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi and Moses Simon rising to the occasion.

Okocha underlined that Ejuke made an impact after replacing Chukwueze so much so that the Villarreal winger was not missed in the last eighteen minutes.

Speaking on punditry duties for SuperSport, Okocha said : "The good thing about the Nigeria team is that we don't rely only on one player.

"We've got good attacking options, you can see the substitute Ejuke coming in making Chukwueze as if he was not there, we didn't miss him when he got substituted because Ejuke realized that he has to fill in that shoes and do what is required from him.

"If he had been a bit more experienced, a bit more clever in front of the goal I think he could have gotten a goal"

Rangers star Leon Balogun, Omonia Nicosia's Abdullahi Shehu and Racing Genk's Paul Onuachu are not with the Super Eagles in Cameroon due to injuries.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel