Ex Barcelona and Eagles Star Amunike believes Ajayi deserves a spot in Nigeria squad
Zamalek legendary forward, Emmanuel Amunike, believes that Al Ahly forward Junior Ajayi should be called-up for the Nigerian national team squad.
Ajayi is having his second-best goalscoring season since joining Al Ahly, with 11 goals in 42 games. He still has at least two games, in the CAF Champions League and the Egypt Cup, to break his first season’s record of 12 goals.
He also lifted his fourth league title with the Red Devils and could be on the verge of winning his first domestic treble.
Al Ahly have qualified for the Champions League final where they will face the winner between Zamalek and Raja Casablanca. They are also set to play Second Division side AbouQir in the Egypt Cup quarter-finals.
Despite being a regular in Nigeria’s youth teams, even winning the U-23 AFCON in 2015. Since moving to Cairo Ajayi was barely considered for a spot in Gernot Rohr’s team.
The German manager called-up the 24-year-old just once in 2018, where he played just two minutes in a 2-0 defeat to Serbia.
And former Zamalek and FC Barcelona winger, Emmanuel Amunike, believes that the former CS Sfaxien man deserves a call-up.
“I believe that Ajayi deserves to be given an opportunity like every other player and then it is up to him to take the opportunity,” Amunike told ESPN.
Former Nigeria international, Jonathan Akpoborie, agrees with Amunike saying that he could be a valuable asset.
Ajayi deserves the Nigerian shirt. Compared to most of the strikers I have seen so far for Nigeria. He scores and can create chances for his fellow players,” Akpoborie explained.
“He is fast and he is an all-round striker that scores goals from inside and outside the box. He will be a valuable asset for the Nigerian team,” he concluded.
Rohr has called-up 24 players to play Sierra Leone for the 2022 AFCON qualifiers next month.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs), Sebastian Osigwe (FC Lugano) and Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam).
Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes), Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista), William Ekong (Watford FC,), Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC,); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto) and Kevin Akpoguma (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim).
Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray), Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente), Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland) and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers).
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Free Agent), Alex Iwobi (Everton FC), Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure (Club Brugge), Moses Simon (FC Nantes), Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC), Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City) and Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow)
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