Super Eagles roster update: Awaziem drafted in as third UK-based player withdraws from squad

Cardiff City left-back Jamilu Collins has been ruled out of Nigeria's October internationals against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The former Paderborn man is the third United Kingdom-based player to withdraw from the roster after Nottingham Forest duo Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina. 

Collins has been given a rest to fully recover during the international break as he has been playing through the pain barrier in recent weeks.

He missed almost the whole of the 2022-2023 campaign due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered that required surgery.

The Nigeria Football Federation have called in a replacement for Collins, with FC Porto-reared defender Chidozie Awaziem drafted in on Monday. 

Awaziem has not played for the Super Eagles since he was named in the starting lineup to face Ecuador in an international friendly in June 2022.

The last time the Super Eagles visited Portugal, he was a non-playing substitute in a friendly against the Seleção das Quinas on November 17, 2022.

The Super Eagles take on the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia in the city of Portimão, Portugal on Friday, 13th October 2023, starting at 5pm before a clash with the Mambas of Mozambique in the same city three days later.

The players are all expected to arrive in Faro, Portugal on Tuesday, 10th October.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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