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◆FRN advances 50 km in eastern DR Congo◆Armed group burns 11 family members to death in Zamfara◆US aircraft strikes Huda cargo ship in Gulf of Oman◆FRN takes control of Bulambika in South Kivu◆Houthi attack targets Riyadh and damages an Aramco tower◆Around 20 bodies found on Lompoul beach in Senegal◆Sudanese RSF general defects to the army◆Nigeria beat Japan 2-1 to win U17 Women's World Cup◆Iran lifts restrictions on the range of its missiles◆FRN takes control of Kalonge and Bitale in South Kivu
◆FRN advances 50 km in eastern DR Congo◆Armed group burns 11 family members to death in Zamfara◆US aircraft strikes Huda cargo ship in Gulf of Oman◆FRN takes control of Bulambika in South Kivu◆Houthi attack targets Riyadh and damages an Aramco tower◆Around 20 bodies found on Lompoul beach in Senegal◆Sudanese RSF general defects to the army◆Nigeria beat Japan 2-1 to win U17 Women's World Cup◆Iran lifts restrictions on the range of its missiles◆FRN takes control of Kalonge and Bitale in South Kivu
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AFCON 2027: Nigeria's Emmanuel Fernandez recalled to replace Ajayi

By , based on Africa Top Sports

AFCON 2027: Nigeria's Emmanuel Fernandez recalled to replace AjayiAgência Brasil Fotografias · CC BY 2.0

Nigerian defender Emmanuel Fernandez is among coach Eric Chelle's first choices to replace Semi Ajayi, who went off injured in Hull City's match against Arsenal this weekend, for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Tanzania. The information, reported by Africa Top Sports, remains dependent on the Hull defender's recovery before the double header.

Emmanuel Fernandez, a Rangers player in Scotland, has four caps for the Super Eagles, the last in the 3-3 friendly draw against Russia last month. He has established himself as a key element in Derek McInnes's team, the Rangers manager, with a 20th match of the season played in the club's victory against St Mirren this weekend.

Semi Ajayi, a Hull City defender, had been included in the list of 24 Nigerians called up by Eric Chelle for these matches. His possible withdrawal would force the Nigerian staff to rework a centre-back pairing already deprived of several key players. Summary: Nigerian defender Emmanuel Fernandez, left out of the squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Tanzania, could be recalled to replace the injured Semi Ajayi. His call-up depends on Ajayi's recovery, according to Africa Top Sports.

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